(WNY News Now) – A Fayette County jury has convicted former Uniontown City Treasurer Antoinette Hodge of stealing over $106,000 in taxpayer funds to fuel a costly gambling habit.
UNIONTOWN – Former Uniontown City Treasurer Antoinette Hodge, 54, was convicted Thursday of embezzling approximately $106,000 in public funds between 2020 and 2021. The Fayette County jury found Hodge guilty of multiple charges, including theft by unlawful taking, perjury, and obstructing the administration of government.
“The defendant was elected to a position of trust in her community. She abused that trust and defrauded taxpayers for her own gain,” Attorney General Henry said. “Prosecuting these crimes is vital to maintaining the integrity of local government. My office will continue to protect taxpayers and ensure that any individual who tries to abuse their position will face the consequences of their actions.”
Elected as Uniontown’s Treasurer in 2019, Hodge was responsible for managing and depositing all payments collected by the Treasurer’s Office. However, the investigation, conducted by the Attorney General’s Office and the Forty-Eighth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, uncovered that she diverted funds, spending daily amounts exceeding $1,500 on lottery games. Evidence presented during the trial detailed her failure to deposit over $106,000 in taxpayer cash, which instead went toward personal expenses.
Referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Fayette County District Attorney, the case was overseen by Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice, who successfully prosecuted Hodge. Following her defeat in her 2023 re-election campaign, Hodge no longer holds the role of Treasurer for the City of Uniontown.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 21, when Hodge faces potential penalties for her misuse of entrusted funds.