Case against court employee moves forward

BY STACI WILSON

A theft charge lodged against a Montrose District Court employee is moving forward.

Rebecca White, 32, Springville, is accused of stealing $7,000 worth of furniture out of her ex-boyfriend’s Brackney home in October 2012.

Several charges originally lodged against White, including burglary, criminal trespass and receiving stolen property, were withdrawn.

The charges were lodged in New Milford District Court by Silver Lake Police Chief Timothy Burgh in December.

White waived her Monday, Jan. 15 preliminary hearing on the one remaining count of theft by unlawful taking – movable property.

Although facing criminal charges, White is still actively employed at the Montrose District Court office under Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Hollister, a situation some people think negatively impact the county’s judiciary system.

District Attorney Jason Legg said, “I don’t control her employment.”

He said he finds the fact that White is working in the court system as “problematic.”

Legg said there is a high standard of conduct for people who work in the courts. “It casts a shadow on the entire system,” he said.

“It undercuts the public’s faith in the judiciary,” Legg said. “I’m disappointed.”

The district attorney said his office is reviewing available options to make sure the integrity of the system is protected and that he plans to take action to reinforce the public’s faith in the legal system.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Jake Edel told police he believed White had taken all of the furniture from his residence while he was out of town.

On Nov. 14, 2012, White was interviewed by Burgh and Susquehanna County Detective Debbie Strong.

According to the affidavit, White admitted to having the furniture. She also said during the interview that she the last time she had stayed at the apartment was in August and all of her belongings had been removed by Sept. 1.

According to the affidavit, White said she took the items because she had been with Edel when it was purchased and had helped assemble it; but indicated that he had purchased all of the items.

She also said the furniture had been taken on Oct. 20 but would not identify anyone who helped her move the items.

White also told police that she believed the incident to be a “civil matter” between her and Edel and refused to answer whether she had his permission to go into the home and take the items.

She did, according to the affidavit, tell investigators where the furniture was being stored during the interview.