Pennsylvania Library Manager
Charged with Embezzling $216,000
The former head of digital services for the Bucks County Free Library in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was arrested August 9 for allegedly embezzling $216,000 from the library system.
Prosecutors charged David Bennett, 51, with using his library credit card to pay $325 to a Las Vegas escort service while attending a computer conference, as well as charging nearly $10,000 to stay at the hotel and gamble after the conference ended, the Allentown Morning Call reported August 10. He also allegedly ordered expensive electronic equipment for the library, including a $2,500 widescreen television and a satellite dish, but kept some of it for himself and gave the rest to three girlfriends.
Library officials became suspicious of Bennett, who was hired in 1995, after they discovered the Las Vegas charges in April 2001. They chose not to alert law enforcement at that time, but docked a portion of his salary to get the money back. After discovering further thefts, the library fired Bennett in March and turned the case over to the authorities. District Attorney Diane Gibbons told the Morning Call that Bennett told detectives he felt he was underpaid and thereby entitled to the money he stole.
Bennett was arraigned on charges of theft and receiving stolen property and committed to Bucks County Prison under $75,000 bail. He faces up to seven years in prison.
Posted August 19, 2002.
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