Millcreek police claim former Erie Humane Society boss stole more than $23,000

Nicole Leone, who resigned in November after nine years as executive director of the Erie Humane Society, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on criminal charges.

All three charges, filed by the Millcreek Township Police Department, relate to claims that Leone used two Erie Humane Society credit cards to make 139 unauthorized charges that totaled $23,582.27.

According to the criminal complaint, those unauthorized charges were made between June 22, 2023, and Nov. 12 of this year.

Leone, who will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. by District Judge Jeff Gadley, has been charged with access device fraud, theft by deception and tampering with records. Two of those charges are third-degree felonies, while tampering with records is a misdemeanor.

Purchase of two bicycles prompted investigation

In the affidavit of probable cause, Millcreek Detective Adam Hardner said he met with the Erie Humane Society on Nov. 25, which was about two weeks after Leone had left the organization.

Hardner said the organization’s own internal investigation suggested that Leone had been using the organization’s credit cards for her own use.

One of the most recent charges involved a purchase of $2,029.48 from a local bicycle shop.

Hardner said, “The purchase was supposed to be for one bicycle to be raffled off as part of a Humane Society fundraiser.”

When the Humane Society treasurer went to the bicycle shop, she found that two bicycles had actually been purchased, including one purchased for the raffle.

The other bicycle, purchased for $1,346.18, matched a bicycle shown on Leone’s personal social media account.

Hardner said the Humane Society’s investigation led to the discovery of charges made on a monthly basis for a variety of items, including clothing, sunglasses, household items and hotel stays.

In the affidavit of probable cause, Hardner said that Leone entered all of the purchases on a spread sheet and coded them so they would appear as regular business expenses.

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Leone said resignation was voluntary

In a November interview with the Erie Times-News, Leone, 41, said that she had resigned from her position.

“This is voluntary. I am pursuing other opportunities,” Leone said. “I’m not at liberty to talk about these opportunities at this time. There is a lot of compassion fatigue. After nearly 10 years, it is time for me to move on.”

Since Leone’s departure, longtime Humane Society employees Emily McCullor and Rob Lewis are serving as co-executive directors.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Erie Humane Society confirmed reports that the board of directors had pursued criminal charges.

The board said the decision followed an internal investigation.

“It is our responsibility as the board of directors to ensure the organization follows all legal and ethical standards, including the appropriate and responsible use of its resources, funds, and donations,” Genna Druzak, the board president, said in a statement.

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Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Former Erie Humane Society boss faces criminal charges on theft claims

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