Lawsuit claims former employee embezzled $57K from King’s College [The Citizens’ Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.]

Aug. 20--An insurance company for King's College is suing the school's former human resources director, claiming she embezzled more than $57,000 before being caught two years ago.

Erin A. Savitski was fired from the position on Aug. 29, 2011, days after school officials uncovered the fraud scheme, according to a lawsuit filed by Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America.

Savitski, of Jackson Township, routinely added extra cash to her paychecks and took other unauthorized disbursements from college coffers, according to the lawsuit filed last week in Luzerne County Court.

In all, Savitski embezzled $57,399.71, the suit claims.

The suit demands Savitski repay $52,399.71 to the insurance company for covering the college's losses and reimburse King's College for a $5,000 deductible it paid.

No charges have ever been filed against Savitski.

It was not immediately clear Monday if law enforcement authorities were ever notified.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and her top assistant, Sam Sanguedolce, said they were not immediately familiar with the allegations described in the lawsuit.

King's College spokesman John McAndrew confirmed Savitski was the human resources director up until two years ago, but said he was unaware of the claims made in the lawsuit. Typically, the school will not comment on pending litigation or personnel matters, he said.

McAndrew said he was not immediately aware if law enforcement authorities were notified, but would check with other school officials who might have handled the situation.

College officials listed "crime" as the reason for submitting the insurance claim, according to a copy of the claim included with the lawsuit as an exhibit. The college is insured up to $2 million for employee theft, according to the policy.

As director of human resources, Savitski had access to various school bank accounts, the lawsuit said. While Savitski claimed she always used school funds properly, officials discovered she used college monies for personal use and "intentionally hid her conduct from King's College," the lawsuit says.

A telephone message left at Savitski's home on Monday was not returned.

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal

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