S. Whitehall to Use Outside Bill Collector After $850K Embezzlement Charge

South Whitehall Township officials are following the recommendation they use an outside tax and bill collector after two employees allegedly embezzled $850,000 from township coffers.

The Board of Commissioners approved a proposal Wednesday night by Berkheimer Tax Administrator, of Bangor, to collect the township residents' business privilege tax and water, sewer and refuse bills.

Township Manager Jon Hammer said the new collection service is expected to begin Jan. 1.

The changes are among recommendations made by Buckno Lisicky & Co., the accounting firm hired to evaluate the township's internal controls. 

Nancy Tonkin, the township's longtime utility supervisor, and her husband, William Tonkin, a former township police officer, were charged in May with embezzling $850,000 from the utility funds over 13 years.

The firm recommended the township create a three-member Budget and Finance Committee, to be staffed by two commissioners and Finance Director Lenore Horos, and a three-member Audit Committee, which would be staffed by two commissioners and either Hammer or Director of Administration Tony Ganguzza.