Nov. 4—FLINTSTONE, Md. — Conversations about an online romance “scam,” a house fire and stolen money are part of a police investigation that led to criminal charges in Allegany County.
According to documents filed in District Court for Allegany County, Patricia Leitzen, 77, was treasurer of the Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary for 35 years.
She resigned from the position in August after being questioned about missing funds. Leitzen faces misdemeanor counts of embezzlement and felony theft scheme, charges that could carry penalties of five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines.
Leitzen could not be reached for comment Thursday. Court records indicate she does not have an attorney, and a phone number listed for her is not in service.
“We want the community to know, as soon as the discrepancy was noted, department officials immediately began investigating internally, subsequently turning the investigation over to the Allegany County Sheriff’s Department. We will fully cooperate with their investigation of this matter,” Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department President Steve Moyer said in a statement.
The department’s full statement is posted with this story on times-news.com.
A preliminary inquiry hearing for Leitzen is set for 1 p.m. Nov. 30 in district court.
While the sheriff’s office started the investigation, it was transferred to the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit.
The fire
The fire department’s ladies auxiliary said that on May…
