Former Rankin manager charged over borough credit card

Charges were changed for the former Rankin borough manager and former Woodland Hills school board president who appeared in court Thursday with her attorney to address charges of using the borough’s credit card for personal expenses. Terri Lawson allegedly racked up $9,000 in charges.In court, the prosecution and defense agreed to the withdrawal of tampering with evidence and consolidating theft by unlawful taking into one charge.According to the criminal complaint against her, the investigation started in January, when local leaders accused Lawson of making charges on a borough credit card since last summer. Coworkers allege Lawson forged a document stating the credit card had been canceled while still making unauthorized purchases with it, according to the complaint.In the complaint, police say the card was used at a marijuana dispensary, restaurants, liquor stores and dozens of retailers, and for a personal utility bill.However, her attorney Phil DiLucente presented the credit card in Lawson’s name to the prosecution in court, stating it has a zero balance and nothing is owed. “We’re chipping away at the stone. My client is not admitting guilt whatsoever. I thought it was very important. And you were in the courtroom. There is zero loss. Now, you’ve read the complaint before, but there’s zero loss. There’s no restitution whatsoever. So basically, what you have is a situation of administrative inconsistencies that for whatever reason, we’ll find out eventually at trial of why this was brought upon her,” DiLucente said outside the courtroom.Lawson still faces charges that include theft, access device fraud and forgery. Lawson’s attorney waived their case to court.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. —

Charges were changed for the former Rankin borough manager and former Woodland Hills school board president who appeared in court Thursday with her attorney to address charges of using the borough’s credit card for personal expenses.

Terri Lawson allegedly racked up $9,000 in charges.

In court, the prosecution and defense agreed to the withdrawal of tampering with evidence and consolidating theft by unlawful taking into one charge.

According to the criminal complaint against her, the investigation started in January, when local leaders accused Lawson of making charges on a borough credit card since last summer.

Coworkers allege Lawson forged a document stating the credit card had been canceled while still making unauthorized purchases with it, according to the complaint.

In the complaint, police say the card was used at a marijuana dispensary, restaurants, liquor stores and dozens of retailers, and for a personal utility bill.

However, her attorney Phil DiLucente presented the credit card in Lawson’s name to the prosecution in court, stating it has a zero balance and nothing is owed.

“We’re chipping away at the stone. My client is not admitting guilt whatsoever. I thought it was very important. And you were in the courtroom. There is zero loss. Now, you’ve read the complaint before, but there’s zero loss. There’s no restitution whatsoever. So basically, what you have is a situation of administrative inconsistencies that for whatever reason, we’ll find out eventually at trial of why this was brought upon her,” DiLucente said outside the courtroom.

Lawson still faces charges that include theft, access device fraud and forgery.

Lawson’s attorney waived their case to court.