Feds indict former Jackson Township employee for alleged $170K fraud

PITTSBURGH - A former employee of a Mercer County Township faces federal charges for allegedly spending $170,000 in local government funds that included the purchase of fitness goods, mattress covers, and nipple covers.
A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has handed up an indictment charting Linda Baun with six counts of mail fraud.
According to the indictment, when Baun was the Secretary-Treasurer for Jackson Township between 2011 and 2019, she used the township debit card to make unauthorized withdrawals and online purchases.
Investigators say Baun would make false accounting entries to conceal the unauthorized expenditures.
The indictment lists as an example the purchase of children’s water shoes for $22, which was listed in the financial books as money to pay for a computer backup system.
Some of the expenditures itemized in the indictment include a Fitbit Activity Tracker for $137; weight loss hoop $30; a mattress pad cover and topper $63 each; and silicone nipple covers for $15.
If convicted, Baun could face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Baun’s attorney has asked for a delay of her arraignment which is scheduled for Wednesday.