Former Montrose Borough secretary Annette Rogers exits Susquehanna County court Friday with her attorney Deborah Albert-Heise after pleading guilty to a government obstruction charge. Rogers will have to pay back nearly $94,000 in restitution to the borough. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
BY STACI WILSON
A former Montrose secretary-treasurer could face up to two years in prison for breaching her public duties while she was employed by the municipality.
Annette Rogers, 53, pleaded guilty Friday in Susquehanna County Court to a misdemeanor count of obstruction of governmental function.
District Attorney Jason Legg said that while Rogers was acting in her official capacity as the borough’s secretary-treasurer she mishandled funds from 2007 through 2010.
“The borough was unable to function properly,” Legg said.
As part of the plea agreement, Rogers has agreed to pay nearly $94,000 in restitution to borough. There was no stipulation in the plea regarding sentencing in the matter, Legg said.
In exchange for the plea, Rogers will not be prosecuted on the felony theft and access device fraud charges originally lodged against her in Feb. 2010.
According to the district attorney, upon Rogers’ February 2010 termination from her employment Montrose council members discovered $26,000 in payroll taxes had not been paid and an estimated $44,000 in parking meter funds had been improperly secured and deposited.
In addition to those issues, Legg said bills had not been paid in a timely manner and the borough had racked up nearly $1,500 in late fees.
Legg told the court Rogers had been issued $6,000-7,000 in reimbursement that she was not entitled to receive.
Legg also said Rogers used borough credit cards to obtain nearly $11,000 in personal items.
In the police affidavit filed last year, Rogers was accused of purchasing a 40-inch flat-screen television; digital cameras; patio furniture; a barbecue grill; food; and a Guitar Hero video game on the borough’s cards.
Several borough council members were present in the courtroom to hear the guilty plea but declined to make a comment.
Defense attorney Deborah Albert-Heise said her client wants to get the matter behind her. “It’s been a very emotional road for her,” Albert-Heise said.
She wanted the court to impose a fair sentence and would be asking that Rogers not be incarcerated.
Legg said he would be seeking jail time for the former secretary.
Rogers is scheduled to be sentenced on April 21.
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