Former Derry Area Aqua Club president accused of stealing $24K from organization

The former president of the Derry Area Aqua Club was jailed Wednesday on police accusations that she used money from the organization to pay for gambling and sports betting, according to court papers.

Josie Faye Ruffner, 35, of Latrobe, is charged by Westmoreland County detectives with dealing in proceeds of an unlawful act, theft, access device fraud and misapplication of entrusted property. She is accused of diverting $24,000 from the nonprofit group, police said.

Detectives were notified by Derry Borough police in October that there were more than 150 unauthorized transactions reported from the aqua club’s bank account in September and October, according to court papers. Police said the transactions and transfers were connected to a debit card Ruffner had and the account had been overdrawn by $800.

In addition to the online gambling, investigators found Ruffner’s debit card was used at Rivers Casino, Apple, Sunoco and Giant Eagle and for transactions through Venmo and Cash App, according to court papers. Police got search warrants for her electronic accounts and compared them to bank records.

“The transaction withdrawal denominations match the Fan Duel betting and wager amounts Josie Ruffner made,” Detective Nick Caesar wrote in the complaint.

During an interview with detectives, Ruffner admitted to using the club’s debit card for personal expenses and gambling, according to court papers. She was taken to the Westmoreland County Prison after failing to post $25,000 bail during her arraignment.

A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 22. Ruffner did not have an attorney listed in online court records.