Local Mayor Charged in Church Theft

BATH, Pa. (AP) - November 27, 2006 -- She has been the mayor of Bath, Pennsylvania for almost a quarter of a century. But now she is also a suspected felon, allegedly swindling 9,000 to 10,000 dollars from a local church.

65-year-old Elizabeth Fields, the mayor of Bath Borough, is described by many as a beloved member of this community. That's why this municipality is reeling from accusations that she stole more than 9000 dollars from the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church where she also served as church secretary.

District Attorney John Morganelli says he knows Ms. Fields personally and is just as shocked as everyone else.

Action News went to Mayor Fields home, just a block away from the church, but she backed away once she saw our news camera.

Church officials say it was a few weeks ago when they started suspecting money was missing from their Sunday collections. So they set up a hidden camera in the rectory. Investigators say the video clearly shows Fields taking a lump of cash then using White Out to alter the amounts on the tally sheet.

Fields was arrested Saturday but is free on 20,000 dollars bail.

Many people we spoke with in town say they're going to withhold judgment until the trial is over. But others say she might be a nice person but the law is the law.

(Copyright 2006 by the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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