Sayre Woman Arrested for $5K Fundraiser Theft
Authorities in Sayre, Pennsylvania, arrested 40-year-old Sarah Anne Brackel in February on felony theft charges after allegations she stole thousands of dollars from a 2025 fundraiser for a local business.
Charges
Brackel faces:
Theft by unlawful taking (Grade 3 felony)
Receiving stolen property (Grade 3 felony)
The arrest stems from a report by the Bradford County Regional Arts Council after a fundraiser on August 2, 2025, where Brackel handled donations as the director of theater operations.
Details of the Alleged Theft
After the event, initial counts indicated $5,660 raised. Later, only $3,000 was accounted for when funds were distributed. Investigators noted multiple instances where money was mishandled under Brackel’s care, including two lost deposits of $400 and $782.
Brackel resigned in October 2025 and did not respond to police inquiries before her arrest.
Arts Council Response
The Bradford County Arts Council expressed deep disappointment over the incident, emphasizing that the misuse of funds violated the organization’s mission. The council is reviewing financial oversight measures to protect future donations.
“The misuse of funds goes against everything we stand for… Our board and staff cooperated fully with local enforcement,” the council said in a statement.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into other potential incidents involving Brackel during her employment with the arts council.
