SMETHPORT – Two area women allegedly worked together to steal
more than $35,000 from the First National Bank of Port Allegany
over a six-year period of time, according to police.
Kerrie Meacham, 30, of 29 E. Vine St., Port Allegany, and Merry
Marsiglio, 29, of 1673 Rock Run Road, Turtlepoint, were both
arraigned late Wednesday in front of District Judge Bill Todd on
charges including nine felony counts of theft and conspiracy for
their actions, which Port Allegany Borough Police said took place
from December of 2000 to August of 2006.
On Aug. 30, police received a complaint from the bank president
and manager that they suspected the two women had stolen money
while employed as tellers at the bank in the Lillibridge Plaza on
Mill Street, according to court records.
Both women were terminated in August of 2006, the records
read.
On Feb. 26, the bank officials met again with the police and
provided them with materials from an internal audit of bank
records. The audit revealed that from Dec. 1, 2000 to Jan. 20,
2004, Marsiglio took $8,399.78; and from Jan. 20, 2004 to Aug. 23,
2006, she took $10,600.22, according to court records.
The same audit revealed that from July 1, 1999 to Jan. 1, 2004,
Meacham took $9,300; and from Jan. 1, 2004 to Aug. 29, 2006, she
took $6,625, the records read.
Marsiglio was interviewed by Port Allegany Police Chief Donald
Carley, and she told him that she and Meacham were aware of each
other’s activity in altering or destroying records and receipts to
hide any discrepancies, the records read.
The bank officials told police that while one woman was on
vacation, the other would use the vacationer’s cash drawer monies
to increase the funds in her own drawer in order to hide any
discrepancies, the records read.
Meacham and Marsiglio were both charged with two counts each of
theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and theft by failure
to make required disposition of funds received, all third-degree
felonies; three counts each of criminal conspiracy to commit theft,
third-degree felonies; and two counts each of tampering with
records or identification, first-degree misdemeanors; and one count
each of criminal conspiracy to tamper with records, first-degree
misdemeanors.
Both women posted $10,000 bail. Preliminary hearings are
scheduled for 10 a.m. March 19 in front of Todd.
