Carol Snyder, 58, of Green Lane is facing more than 150 felony charges, including theft, forgery and the acquisition of stolen property. Investigators say over the course of seven years, she stole $617,147 from her employer, Hardy Machine, in Hatfield.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said they were able to track the money, some of which was spent on car repairs, grocery bills and insurance payments.
“It seems she spent some of the money on her daughters’ weddings, and it was a significant amount over time and significant for this company,” he added. According to the criminal complaint, detectives found payments to a DJ, a country club, and tuxedo and bridal stores that coincide with the two weddings.
Steele said the company’s owner, William Hardy, received a call about an overdue credit card, which he thought had been closed. When he looked into it, he found other unauthorized purchases.
Snyder, a 20-year employee, was the office administrator, in which she was the only one responsible for all of the company’s finances, including payroll, accounts receivable and payable.
Steele said the case is a reminder of the need for checks and balances in any business.
“We have far too many of these where someone gets themselves into a position of trust and then does something like this, where they are taking money from hardworking folks who are trying to earn a living,” he said.
In all, Hatfield Township police reportedly discovered 1,758 unauthorized and non-business-related purchases made by Snyder between 2012 and 2019. Investigators also found 24 checks with Hardy’s forged signature.
According to the criminal complaint, Snyder offered Hardy her retirement fund, saying, “You can have my whole 401(k), I don’t want to go to jail.”
Snyder is in county jail on $200,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5.