Police: Treasurer Stole From Wilson Lions

For 10 years, Wilson's Lions Club trusted member Stephen Williams to look after its finances.

But according to borough police, Williams -- the Lions' treasurer -- spent part of that time writing checks to himself with the club's money.

Wilson, 60, of the first block of Wright Street, was charged Monday with stealing more than $45,000 from the club.

According to borough police, club members discovered in August that Williams had written checks to himself between September 2010 and October 2011.

David Perruso, Wilson's mayor and a longtime Lions Club member, told Patch that club members became suspicious because Williams refused to show them the Lions' books.

"There was always some kind of excuse," he said. 

But when the club tried to pay for something and got an insufficient funds notice, a member confronted Williams, the mayor said.

Police say the club's president, Jack Barr, reported the thefts on Aug. 2, and borough Det. Chris Meehan began investigating the man who had been in charge of the Lions' finances for the last decade.

"All these years we busted our behinds, and to have this happen is incredible," said Perruso. "There are a lot of guys that are really hurt about this."

But Perruso said the hurt goes beyond just emotions.

"We're broke. We need the money back if we can possibly get it," he said.

Court records say Williams is charged with theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and receiving stolen property. He was arraigned before District Judge Richard Yetter in Wilson, who set unsecured bail at $45,000.