July 15, 2020

Dear Kennett Township Residents and Business Owners,

At every Board of Supervisors meeting, I have given a Township Recovery Update regarding the continuing investigation of former Township Manager Lisa Moore and our efforts to recover that which was taken from the Township. While this process feels slow and long, I assure you we are making progress.

Please read on for the official Township press release regarding our most recent update. Below the press release, you will also find information and a link for tonight's Zoom Board of Supervisors meeting. I encourage you all to "attend" if you are able as the Board will be reviewing this update.

Thank you and continue to stay safe,

Eden R. Ratliff
Township Manager
www.kennett.pa.us

Kennett Township recovers $1 million from surety bond covering former township manager Lisa Moore

 
Township continues to pursue additional missing money

KENNETT TOWNSHIP_  Kennett Township has received $1 million from the surety bond covering former township manager Lisa Moore.
 
“The township is pursuing every avenue to recover all of the money improperly taken from our residents by Lisa Moore,” said Supervisors Chairman Dr. Richard L. Leff. “We are aggressively pursuing additional methods of recovery with our team of loss recovery professionals.”
 
In December, the Chester County District Attorney’s office arrested and charged Moore with 21 crimes for embezzling $3.2 million from the township. The District Attorney’s office stated the money was stolen from employee benefits, the police department, land preservation and other township operations.  Moore used the money for extravagant personal expenses, including foreign trips, jewelry and designer clothes, according to the District Attorney.
 
“The township continues to cooperate with the District Attorney’s office and we are being kept informed on the status of the criminal case against Moore,” Leff said. The township was advised that if a trial takes place, the proceeding might not be held until the end of 2021 because of delays in the court system caused by the coronavirus.
 
“All the funds from the million dollar surety bond were received last week and deposited in the township bank account,” said Kennett Township Manager Eden Ratliff.
 
Ratliff said the money will be invested for now. The funds are unrestricted, meaning the money can be used as needed by the township. By the end of the summer, audits for 2019 will be completed. Underfunded accounts will be adjusted, according to Ratliff.
 
A surety bond guarantees a specific individual, in this case former township manager Lisa Moore, will act in accordance with certain laws.

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