EXETER TOWNSHIP -- Four officials in Exeter Township, Luzerne County have been charged with tampering of public records by the state attorney general's office.
The four accused are supervisors John Coolbaugh, Richard Overman, and James Douse, along with township secretary Mary Martin.
According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the four tampered with records related to plans for an emergency services building in Exeter Township that was never finished.
The supervisors are also accused of misusing public money. The state attorney general's office says the charges have to do with receiving a $50,000 grant to build an emergency services building, but the building was never built. That was in 2006. Nine years later, the township only has a stone lot to show for it.
Three Exeter Township supervisors and the township secretary were arraigned Friday.
The state attorney general's office says they misused money and then tried hiding it. But two of the supervisors and the secretary say they're either innocent or they know nothing about it.
"You didn't tamper with public records?"
"No," replied township secretary Mary Martin.
"Even though the attorney general's office say you did?"
"Definitely not, no."
Exeter Township secretary Mary Martin left the state police barracks in Wyoming shortly after being arraigned on charges including tampering with public records.
John Coolbaugh was asked, "Where did the 50 grand go?"
"What 50 grand?" Coolbaugh replied.
Authorities also say township supervisors James Dowse and Richard Overman even reported working at the EMS site, although the AG says there's no evidence of that.
Dowse says he's innocent.
"Did you tamper with public records?"
"No, I did not," said Dowse.
Authorities say the defendants spent a lot of the grant money to hire contractors with whom they had personal relationships. Court papers also say the contractors significantly inflated their bills and billed for services and materials unrelated to the project. The project was eventually cancelled.
"Don't you owe taxpayers an explanation?"
"No!" Coolbaugh replied.
The attorney general's office says the four allegedly signed a letter to the state with false statements to try hiding their misuses of the money.
"It's a public service official, not a self-service official," said township resident Mike Keating.
Keating says he has lived in Exeter Township his whole life and that the township could use a new EMS building.
"If it's true, it's a shame. You know, this is a little township. People work hard in this township to make their taxes and stuff."
Newswatch 16 couldn't find Overman for comment. The preliminary hearings are scheduled for May 27.