New Safeguards Installed Since Alleged Embezzlement

South Whitehall Township's loss of nearly $1 million in an alleged embezzlement scheme in the utilities department that lasted more than 10 years prompted officials to make changes to ensure that something like this never happens again, according to Township Manager Jon Hammer.

Former South Whitehall Utilities Supervisor Nancy A. Tonkin, and her husband, William J. Tonkin, a former South Whitehall patrolman, were charged Tuesday with embezzling $854,497 from the finance department's utilities' account.

The scheme went undetected for at least 10 years in part because the department used an "old-fashioned" cash register and "antiquated" financial software that was not networked and did not link transactions, Hammer said.

The township installed a new financial software package that links all water, sewer and refuse transactions, he said. Also, the township has segregated employees' duties and has added "other internal controls," Hammer said.

See More on Patch

How the Alleged Embezzlement was Uncovered

Who to Contact With Questions About Alleged Embezzlement