Delco woman accused of taking 100G from fire company

Lisa Butler, the Glenolden woman accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from the Briarcliffe Fire Company, didn't have a gambling addiction or a drug habit, according to Delaware County authorities and her attorney.

She stole the money because she could, "for no better reason than greed," said District Attorney G. Michael Green.

"She was shopping," he said.

Butler, 37, who was the fire company's treasurer until she was suspended in December, embezzled $103,500 over two years by asking other officials to co-sign checks before they were filled out, authorities said.

"She would have one of the other authorized signatures sign blank checks for purported convenience purposes, then, obviously using those checks, she converted fire company funds to her own use," Green said.

Butler, whose husband is a volunteer firefighter, was charged yesterday with theft, receiving stolen property and related counts. She joins the ever-growing list of Delaware County residents charged in recent years with bilking public institutions, including a swim club, municipalities, athletic clubs and school districts.

Green said that Butler's case is particularly disturbing because the money she allegedly pocketed - about half of Briarcliffe's reserve fund - could have been used to buy safety gear or for firehouse upgrades.

"It's important that that fire company be funded properly and able to operate every day of the year," he said.

Michael Puppio, the fire company's solicitor, said that the nonprofit has since tightened its accounting procedures.

He said that the fire company hopes to recoup the money through its insurance policy or restitution.

Butler declined to comment yesterday as she was led out of the Media courthouse in handcuffs.

"I have a serious question in my mind as to whether or not the commonwealth can meet their burden of proof," said Butler's attorney, Anthony List.

"It's not up to us to prove that she didn't do it. They must prove that she did."