VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The former treasurer of a local Cub Scout pack was arrested on felony charges after a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office investigation revealed she allegedly stole close to $9,500 of the pack's money to pay her own bills.
Eloisa "Ellie" Hilton, 37, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with organized scheme to defraud, grand theft and illegal use of a credit card, authorities said.
Deltona Cub Scout Pack 340 said they knew about some of Hilton's thefts before her arrest.
In March, at a pack committee meeting, Hilton admitted to other parents that she stole about $2,500 of the pack's funds. At the time, the committee arranged for Hilton to repay the money without law enforcement getting involved.
However, sheriff's investigators learned of the thefts through an anonymous tip a couple of weeks later. By late March, the committee decided to pursue charges against Hilton.
A review of the pack's checking account revealed $2,770.43 in unauthorized transactions, including electric, cable and phone bill payments, grocery bills, gas station charges and several nights at a hotel in Tampa.
Another $1,000.66 in funds raised by selling popcorn and discount cards was never deposited into the bank, investigators said.
As they compared the pack's financial records, investigators said they discovered more missing cash that should have been deposited into the bank.
Hilton was given $27,493.09 cash to deposit, but only $21,808.51 made it to the bank; a difference of $5,684.58, authorities said.
Deputies said the thefts totaled $9,455.67.
Hilton was arrested at her was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where she was to be held on $2,500 bail.
Hilton teaches English at University High School but is now being re-assigned to a role that doesn't involve children. School district officials didn't want to comment on what discipline she could face.
WFTV
