Former Meadville payroll admin to trial after alleged theft, records tampering

Aug. 21--A former City of Meadville payroll administrator will stand trial in Crawford County Court of Common Pleas on charges she stole more than $2,700 and tampered with records to cover the alleged crime.

Barbara E. Hall, 46, 17052 Kebort Road, Vernon Township, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge Samuel Pendolino on one count each of theft by unlawful taking and records tampering. Hall now is scheduled to stand trial on the charges filed by Pennsylvania State Police during the January term of county criminal court.

Hall was arrested by state police on July 13. They allege she took $2,752.77 between 2016 and 2018. Hall filed 17 false explanation of benefits transactions for health insurance benefits with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, according to the criminal complaint.

She was working in the city's Human Resources Department as a payroll administrator when she was fired May 8 of this year, Andy Walker, Meadville's city manager, said at the time of Hall's July 13 arrest. Hall had worked for the city for a little more than 11 years, Walker said.

The alleged thefts were discovered by Tim Groves, the city's then-finance director, when reviewing records April 18, according to court documents.

As part of her duties, Hall oversaw reimbursements to city's health reimbursement accounts, flexible spend accounts and high-deductible program, according to the arrest affidavit. Groves noticed a frequency of payments pattern that was suspicious, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit said the suspicious transactions each had explanation of benefits numbers that seemed to be only one or two numbers different than previous legitimate transaction numbers. Groves contacted Blue Cross/Blue Shield and verified the 17 false transactions all were created by Hall, the affidavit said.

Hall met with Groves and Walker on May 8 and was terminated, but Hall denied the accusation against her, the affidavit said.

Hall later sent a hand-written letter to Walker and Groves, stating in part, "'I hope you don't feel the need to press charges for the mistakes,'" the affidavit said.

In a June 22 interview with state police, "Hall confessed that she created the fictitious EOBs and received reimbursements that she was not entitled to," the affidavit said.

Hall remains free on her own recognizance and awaits her trial.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at [email protected].

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