Pennsylvania's Melissa Sue Taney Arrested for Steal of $8k From Community College Dental Clinic

Melissa Sue Taney, a former employee of Luzerne County Community College, was arrested today after money went missing from one of the departments at the college.

Eyewitness News was the only news crew there when Melissa Sue Taney turned herself in to Nanticoke police on Wednesday.

 She had  No comment when we asked if she denied or admitted to taking the money.

Detectives say Melissa Sue Taney stoke $8,000

Detectives say she stole nearly $8,000 from the Luzerne County Community College Dental Clinic.

 Taney worked as a receptionist-secretary at the clinic located in the Health and Sciences Building in Downtown Nanticoke. 

College students who are interested in a career in dentistry work on patients from the community to get hands-on experience.. Those patients pay a small fee for those services. 
Taney was in charge of taking cash payments..

 "She would receive cash from patients and then she would alter the documents to show that less money was taken and she'd pocket the remaining money," explained Chief Tom Wall of the Nanticoke Police Department.

 "I think that's a real tragedy,"  said Daniel Whitman, 

Daniel Whitman is taking summer classes at LCCC  

"I think it does put a black mark on the college but as long as they got it under control and is no longer part of it anymore we can keep going in a positive light." 

Luetter Jacobs lives near the clinic. She wonders if there was some underlying reason for the alleged theft.

  "It's a hard time you know and people are really struggling. They are taking what little they have to accomplish the bills and things like that."

The President of Luzerne County Community College called it a violation of trust..and issued this statement which reads in part..  "We are committed to honest practices and won't tolerate anything less which disrupts the confidence of the community and our students." 
Investigators did not say why Taney allegedly stole the money. They say the alleged thefts took place in 2016 and 2017. 

Taney faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
     She is free on her own recognizance tonight but would have to pay $75,000 dollars if she fails to show up for future court hearings.

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Content retrieved from https://www.pahomepage.com/news/i-team-dental-clinic-theft-investigation/1373659610