HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the filing of charges against the former executive director of the Cambria County Bar Association for stealing more than $300,000 from the organization between 2018 and 2023.
Robin Hagins, 56, of Johnstown, was charged Wednesday with theft by unlawful taking, misappropriation of funds received, and forgery. Bail was set at $150,000 unsecured.
According to the Office of Attorney General investigation which involved the 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, Hagins allegedly used the funds for personal expenses, such as cosmetic procedures, vacations, and a timeshare property. Hagins also diverted Bar Association funds, without proper approval, to Cuddles for Kids, a nonprofit organization founded by her family.
Investigators determined Hagins had no other means of income that would have provided for such expenditures.
“As executive director of the Cambria County Bar Association, the defendant was entrusted with carrying out its important mission through educational and philanthropic endeavors that benefit the community,” Attorney General Sunday said. “The defendant’s alleged actions betrayed the trust of the Bar Association while enabling herself to live a lavish lifestyle with someone else’s funds.”
The case was referred to the Office of Attorney General by the Cambria County District Attorney.
In June 2023, the CCBA received an overdraft notice from a bank, which prompted a review of banking and financial statements, which revealed suspected overpayments of compensation to Hagins as well as multiple overdrafts, incidents of insufficient funds, and a monthly (unapproved) auto-debit of $200 toward repayment of a Small Business Association loan.
During the investigation, it was also discovered that Hagins allegedly paid for Cuddles for Kids events using Bar Association money without proper approval.
The fraudulent CCBA payments to Hagins from 2018 through 2023 totaled $314,759 according to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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