WAYNESBORO, Pa. — A Maryland woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing more than $40,000 from a Franklin County business over a span of nearly two years.
Marilena Falkenbury, 50, of Frederick, Maryland, was employed as an office manager at House’s Outdoor Services in Waynesboro from December 2021 to May 2023. Her alleged crimes came to light in September 2024 when the business owner contacted police about suspicious financial activity.
Falkenbury — also known as Marilena Meloni — is accused of making unauthorized transfers, deposits, and withdrawals from company accounts. Investigators say she awarded herself illegitimate bonuses and redirected funds intended for payroll, tax obligations, and business expenses into a personal account.
Documentation provided by the company’s current office manager helped police identify over $34,800 in fraudulent activity, with several suspicious withdrawals ranging between $900 and $975 from March to May 2023. A search warrant executed on Fulton Financial Corporation confirmed the personal bank account belonged to Falkenbury.
According to authorities, the account in question was opened shortly after she began working for the company. Payroll records further revealed unauthorized salary adjustments that had not been approved by the business owner.
In total, police say Falkenbury embezzled approximately $40,670.90 during her time with the company.
She now faces a series of serious charges, including:
Theft by unlawful taking
Theft by deception
Theft by failure to make required disposition of funds
Access device fraud
Forgery
Computer trespass
Criminal use of a communication facility
The case remains under investigation.
