Ryan Township approves agreement on Wildoner settlement [Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.]

Oct. 10--BARNESVILLE -- The final paperwork was approved by the Ryan Township supervisors for the township to be reimbursed for theft of tax funds by former tax receiver George G. Wildoner.

During Monday's meeting, the supervisors formally approved the settlement reached with Travelers Insurance Co. for $39,572.94.

The agreement was presented and explained by township solicitor Christopher Riedlinger.

"I have a release for the Wildoner matter on the bond. Travelers wants us to sign the release, which I have reviewed and found appropriate," Riedlinger said. "They will pay the sum that we have agreed upon with them to reimburse the amount taken by Mr. Wildoner, the formerly elected tax collector."

Riedlinger continued, "By signing the release, we would forever be discharging Travelers from any other liability under the bond. It would, in effect, be discharging the bond from Ryan Township's perspective. I still think that the school district and the county and the commonwealth have claims under it." Riedlinger said Travelers will still have the ability to seek reimbursement from Wildoner.

"We'd also be appointing Travelers as our agent to act on our behalf to seek any of the money back from Wildoner, whether it would be a civil action they may file or seeking restitution as part of a criminal case," Riedlinger said. "They would basically step into our shoes and get any reimbursements that may come to the township through either of those avenues."

On June 22, 2011, Wildoner, 71, was charged with stealing $171,145.86 from the Mahanoy Area School District. The total amount of reimbursement of tax dollars to the township, school district and county is $376,718.80. The school district agreed to its settlement in May to the amount Wildoner was charged with. Schuylkill County Treasurer Jacqueline Treasurer said in September that the county has agreed to a settlement of $166,000. Tax receivers are insured with a performance bond through the county.

There are two cases against Wildoner, the first on the school district charges and the second on the combined Ryan Township/Schuylkill County charges. According to county Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Campion Jr., Wildoner has offered to plead guilty on all charges in both cases.

Wildoner, who was township tax receiver for 35 years, surrendered to authorities and was arraigned last year before Senior Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth Romig, Frackville, and charged with one felony count each of theft, receiving stolen property and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds to the school district and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

Wildoner was later charged on theft of taxes received by him on behalf of the township and county.

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