UNION COUNTY, Pa. — According to court papers, in June of this year, the former executive director of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor's Bureau reported theft against former marketing director Timothy Dowhower, 43, of Mifflinburg.
Troopers discovered that Dowhower was using a company credit card to pay for a monthly subscription to a sexually explicit website. He also is accused of paying himself more than $800,000.
Dowhower allegedly hired a marketing company that belonged to him, an LLC called Logical Destination, to help the visitor's bureau in 2018. From that year on until now, the bureau paid the company $150,000 a year.
Amber Guerrero, Susquehanna River Valley Visitor's Bureau board treasurer, released a statement saying, "The board takes its role as financial stewards very seriously. When these irregularities were discovered, we acted immediately and decisively to protect the organization and ensure accountability."
State police discovered that the marketing company in Dowhower's name never did any of the work the visitors bureau thought was getting done.
Dowhower is facing a slew of charges including theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, criminal use of a communication device, and using a company credit card for unauthorized purchases.
He was arraigned on Friday in front of Magisterial District Judge Jeffery Rowe. Bail was set at $870,000. Dowhower remains locked up in the Union County jail.
As for the visitors bureau Guerrero says, "Our mission remains unchanged. We are committed to serving our members, partners, and the community with transparency and integrity, ensuring the Susquehanna River Valley continues to be a great place to work, play, and visit."