Bensalem Music Boosters Change Policies After Theft Charges

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —In the wake of charges against the treasurer of Bensalem High School's Music Booster Association for stealing more than $25,000, the organization is making some policy changes.

Roxanne Shust-Santone, the association's former president, posted a notice on Facebook to families in the Bensalem Township School District recently stating that all donations will go through the high school music director and the organization's president and vice president going forward

"This news has understandably caused anger, stress, and distrust in the way the treasurer's position was position was handled. We apologize for everything that this situation has caused the families of Bensalem, said Shust-Santone, who was president two years ago and whose son was active in the program for five years. "My heart is still invested in the kids, the program, as well as with the parents I’ve become friends with and volunteer with for a good cause."

Late last month, Rebekah Watson was charged with access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking, and theft by failure to make the required disposition of funds, the Bensalem Township Police Department said.

A detective discovered that Watson made unauthorized cash withdrawals and money transfers from the Music Booster bank account into the Venmo account in her name.

Shust-Santone said boosters members are dedicated to ensuring such a crime never happens again.

She said that policies have been put in place going forward that all monies donated will be overseen by the high school music director and the organization's president and vice president.

She said that any payment received will only be accepted by a check or cash.

Receipts will be given out for cash donations for event tickets, raffles, brand sales, the Haunted House, etc.

She said it takes money to run the boosters program annually. The money is used for uniform repair, cleaning, instrument repair, shows, scholarships, marimba heads, reeds, drumsticks, which are raised by the music boosters and funded by the Bensalem Township community.

"The kids deserve to finish the music program this year and continue on for years to come," Shust-Santone said. "They are victims of this and should not be punished for the wrongfulness of one individual who was misrepresented."