Ohio Girl Scout leader accused of stealing $12,500 in cookie money

LICKING CO., Ohio - A Girl Scout troop leader was caught with her hand in the cookie jar according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
49-year-old troop leader Jill Gauthier was indicted by a Licking County grand jury on a fourth-degree theft charge.
Gauthier, a resident of Pataskala, allegedly stole an estimated $12,500 from cookie sales and event fees.
An investigation by the Charitable Law Section and Pataskala Police Department found that Gauthier deposited cookie money and event fees from parents of troop members to her personal bank accounts for nearly five years.
Parents contacted authorities about the use of troop money, alleging that Gauthier used it for personal purchases.
"She was literally caught with her hand in the cookie jar - an adult-size jar that should carry an adult-size timeout in a place with locking doors and barred windows," Yost said. "How many boxes of Thin Mints will her troop need to sell to make up for her betrayal?"
Gauthier is expected back in court on May 5.