GREGG TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pamela Hackenburg, the former secretary/treasurer of Gregg Township, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with four felonies in connection with more than $500,000 in missing township funds. Hackenburg, 55, from Union County, faces charges of theft and fraud in the case, which has shaken the small municipality.
Hackenburg has been placed on unsecured bail of $500,000 and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 11, before Judge Gregory M. Koehle. The charges against her include two first-degree felonies related to theft, along with two third-degree felonies for access device fraud and identity theft.
Details of the case remain unclear, as court documents were unavailable on Friday due to the closure of the magisterial office. However, some information has been made public during Gregg Township meetings. A tax accountant previously estimated that over $533,000 had been misappropriated from the township’s accounts. During public meetings, it was revealed that Hackenburg’s actions were suspected to have started as far back as 2021, when she was placed on indefinite leave without pay.
Following the arrest, Ben Haupt, a township supervisor, confirmed that Hackenburg had been formally charged. In an update on the Gregg Township website, the arrest was announced with a promise to provide more details later.
“We just want justice,” said Haupt, reflecting the sentiment of many residents and officials seeking accountability.
Hackenburg’s name had appeared in township meeting minutes since at least January 2019 and was last noted in May 2024. The township had publicly acknowledged suspicions regarding Hackenburg’s activities earlier in the year, and state police confirmed in August 2024 that they were investigating the matter. Hackenburg was arrested by a state police officer on November 27, 2024.
Residents of Gregg Township had been vocal in meetings, demanding transparency and answers from the township’s leadership regarding the missing funds.
