GREENCASTLE, Pa. — The former treasurer of a Franklin County swim club is facing charges after authorities say she embezzled nearly $150,000 from the club's coffers over a period of seven years.
Krista Murr, 55, stole a total of $148,292.56 from the Moss Springs Swim Club between 2017 and 2024, when she served as the organization's treasurer, Greencastle Borough Police claim in charging documents.
In a statement on the police department's Facebook page, Chief Jason Batistig said his department takes the accusations "seriously" and acted swiftly to file charges against Murr.
“Our department is committed to maintaining transparency and the highest standards of accountability,” the statement said. “We take these allegations seriously and have acted swiftly to address this matter.”
Murr is accused of taking the money to pay for her own personal expenses, according to police. She allegedly used her position to withdraw funds from the club's account and to write personal checks to herself, which she later cashed.
Police began investigating the matter in July when past and present members of the swim club contacted authorities to express concern about possible discrepancies in the club's financial records.
Police say club members questioned the account balance of approximately $150,000 reported by Murr. When asked to provide documentation, Murr initially objected, but eventually provided three years' worth of financial records, according to police.
A club member contacted F&M Bank, where the club had an account, and requested the club's current account balance. The balance provided by the bank was $150,651 on hand.
Later that day, police said, Murr provided the club with a corrected financial statement that showed the club's balance at $186,607.63.
The sudden increase was found to have occurred after Murr deposited three cashier's checks from Orrstown Bank, where the club formerly had an account that was supposed to have been closed in 2023, charging documents state.
It was later found that Murr told the club she closed an account at Orrstown Bank but left one account open without informing the club.
Murr was employed at Orrstown Bank at the time and later used her position to thwart attempts by another club member to get information about the account there, police claim.
The club member persisted and eventually obtained financial records from the bank, despite several attempts by Murr to stop the effort, according to police.
Her actions alerted the bank's fraud investigator, who contacted the club member and the club's president. The fraud investigator told the club members they were launching an investigation and advised them to contact F&M Bank to request the same.
The investigations eventually determined Murr made numerous withdrawals from both bank accounts to pay her own expenses, including her mortgage, credit card bills and utilities.
Murr's attorney contacted police in August and reported she intended to cooperate with authorities and repay the money she had taken, according to the complaint.
In an interview with police in August, Murr allegedly admitted to taking the money, stating it was "easy" to do so because the club never audited its finances.
She is charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft by failing to make required disposition of funds received, and forgery.
She was arraigned on Wednesday. Bail was set at $75,000 unsecured.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025.
