By Tyra Braden
The Morning Call
Copyright 2007 The Morning Call
FORKS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Cory S. Dailey, former director of operations for the Forks Township Emergency Squad who admitted she used squad credit cards and checks to get money and buy items for her own use, was ordered to prison for up to a year but could remain free if she repays what she took.
Dailey, 34, of 925 Delaware Ave., Fountain Hill, pleaded guilty in September to three counts each of misappropriation of property and theft. Numerous other charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement. On Friday, Northampton County Judge Stephen G. Baratta imposed a county prison term of three to 12 months, to be followed by three years of probation.
The judge ordered that Dailey’s sentence commence on March 1 because, according to court officials, Dailey underwent back surgery and has therapy several days a week. If she were to be placed in the prison, taxpayers would have to pay for her therapy and to transport her to and from a physical rehabilitation center.
Baratta, in sentencing Dailey, said he would reconsider his sentence if Dailey is able to make full restitution of $20,000.
Court records give the following account:
Two members of the squad reported to police on July 11, 2006, that on July 7, 2006, a squad credit card was denied when an employee tried to buy gasoline. The credit card company said the bill had not been paid and the account was closed. Found in Dailey’s desk were ''numerous bills and correspondence’’ unopened. The material dated to February 2006, when Dailey was hired. She was the only person in charge of accounts receivable, accounts payable and the payroll. The squad also had a Sam’s Club credit card issued in her name.
Police were notified on July 14, 2006, that Dailey had written and cashed checks to herself. None of the money from the checks had been deposited into squad accounts. Police said Dailey stole $21,267 by padding her payroll checks between April 2, 2006, and July 6, 2006. She also cashed numerous checks at a Forks Township grocery store, netting $2,100. In addition, Dailey bought $582 worth of items, including a freezer, washer and dryer, July 19 at Sam’s Club in Lower Nazareth Township.
Police interviewed Dailey Nov. 9, 2006. She ''fully admitted’’ she had inflated her own paychecks and wrote ''multiple payroll checks’’ to herself. She also admitted she made the purchases at Sam’s Club and had the items at her home.
Assistant District Attorney Constance K. Nelson acknowledged the restitution amount differs from the affidavit. She said the amount ordered by the judge was arrived at after discussions involving herself, Dailey’s attorney and emergency squad officials.