Search warrants allege Gerald Pawling stole $75,000 from two nonprofits
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
A retired Coatesville detective is the focus of attention that differs dramatically from the days when he was applauded for his coaching and mentoring.
Chester County Detectives executed two search warrants at the Caln Township residence of Gerald D. Pawling on July 24 and 25. Pawling, whose accolades included a county-wide 2011 award for crime-victim advocacy, is now accused of stealing more than $75,000 from organizations he assisted.
His attorney, Daniel R. Bush, said Pawling is “fully cooperating” with the investigation by the District Attorney’s Office. “Gerald has done an amazing amount of good for the people of Coatesville for the last two decades,” said Bush. “We’re looking forward to clearing this matter up.”
According to the search warrants prepared by Chester County Det. Thomas J. Goggin, Pawling, 42, who took an early-retirement option in May 2012, became the focus of the investigation on April 30. Coatesville Det. Kevin Campbell, who took over the presidency of the Coatesville Police Benevolent Association (CPBA), a post previously held by Pawling, found “a pattern of suspicious payments” when he reviewed the books – numerous unauthorized checks to Pawling and his wife, Stacey Pawling, the warrants said.
The search warrants said some of the checks also contained former Coatesville Lt. Rita Shesko’s signature; however, she told investigators her name was forged on 20 CPBA checks. Lt. James Audette, whose signature appeared on three CPBA checks, also signed “a written statement confirming that his signature has been forged,” the search warrants said.
The probe widened to include the Coatesville Police Athletic League (CPAL) – where Pawling served as executive director – after Goggin received information from the Internal Revenue Service, the search warrants said. In addition to failing to file tax documents for the organization since 2008, Pawling’s account listed checks for “PAL building rental” even though CPAL was not charged rent for its facility on North Church Street, the warrants said.
After the first search warrant was executed on July 24, Goggin filed a second one, having seen financial documents that “were not known at the time of the original warrant.” The follow-up warrant, executed the next day, sought delinquency notices for county taxes, HFC Mortgage payments with late charges listed, Sheller Oil Company overdue notice, unpaid Caln Township taxes, and a Franklin Mint bank account with $97.99 in overdraft fees, the warrant said.
Besides the financial records, Goggin observed Coatesville City Police reports, investigation files, and evidence room envelopes inside Pawling’s residence, the warrant said. Goggin contacted Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer, who responded to the scene and confirmed that the materials were police property that should not have left the station, the warrant said.
“Based upon the location of the evidence envelopes and the investigation files, and because they were outside of the police department without authorization, your affiant was able to conclude the crime of theft has occurred,” Goggin wrote in the search warrant affidavit.
According to the warrant’s inventory list, two evidence envelopes were seized, one of which listed $5,500 and the other, $307.
The warrants said that as the treasurer of CPBA and the executive director of CPAL, a charitable organization set up to promote the needs and welfare of youth, Pawling had access to both organization’s bank accounts. “A review of financial records and interviews of witnesses has revealed that, from 2009-2012, through the activities of Gerald and Stacey Pawling, a total of $75,567.13 was stolen from these two organizations by misappropriating funds, forgery, and other means,” the affidavit said.
Laufer acknowledged that there is “an active criminal investigation being conducted by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the County Detectives; as such, the city will have no comment.”
Pawling also garnered unwelcome attention during high-profile litigation that sprang from a dispute dating back to Aug. 11, 2011, when Coatesville Officer Amy Nicholl complained that a group of male officers had suggested that she was appointed to a court liaison job because she was sleeping with Lt. Chris McEvoy, a married superior.
In a federal lawsuit filed by Nicholl that has since been settled, she alleged that her complaint was quickly overshadowed by investigators’ prurient interest in her relationship with McEvoy, a consensual affair the city did not prohibit.
In the suit, Nicholl said her Evo 4G, a cellphone that Nicholl bought but used for work, was seized illegally because it contained inappropriate messages from former Police Chief Julius M. Canale as well as Pawling. A Chester County Court judge ordered it returned to her, court records said.
The cell phone’s return set up a hearing in June 2012 after Nicholl said the incriminating material had been erased. Shesko testified that Pawling, who had custody of the SIM card, told Shesko he lost it, court records said. Bush said he advised Pawling to assert his Fifth Amendment privilege and decline to testify, explaining that his client had been ordered by the Attorney General’s Office to appear before a grand jury, which was also investigating the alleged improprieties. The Attorney General’s Office will not comment on what, if any, probe is pending.
Pawling, a graduate of Coatesville Area High School, joined the Police Department in 1995 and was promoted to detective in 2001. In a 2011 interview, he said he considered a police career in high school but opted to study business in college, a plan interrupted by the birth of the first of his five children.
To support his young family, Pawling said he worked in sales for Utz potato chips, attending the Police Academy part time. Upon graduating, he said he was thrilled when he got his first-choice job: working for the City of Coatesville. In his spare time, he was active as a youth coach and mentor.
you were at the for front of this police station, somehow and someway. Interesting how much you know. But again, please be mindful of the kids.
He Pitcherella here is some info for you http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/#!/news/local/Former-Officer-Accused-of-Stealing–75K-From-Department/220573691
Good video of his house…….
Guess I can’t learn anything from “Me”.
So that’s why you Blog, to learn things……Oh I am sorry, I thought you just like to talk about things you have no clue about, like most of the others you see on these sites yapping away.
Here is a idea, go to the next Coatesville Council meeting, as you always do, sit in the back and maybe they will fill you in, or request a private meeting with Chief Laufer and maybe he will lay it all out for you.
If there is no other reason for you to be typing the nonsense you have typed on here then stop, or go up to 6th Avenue and tell Mr. Norcini what you think and see what he has to say. Then drive around the block to 1321 Walnut Street, knock on the door and ask Gerald or Stacy Pawling to explain things to you, I am sure they will provide you with anything you like as your are such a big supporter of them.
Those are my suggestion for you Mr. Pitcherella, hope they work for you.
Sincerely,
“Me”
Well “me” it looks like you have no concern about the Coatesville PD & this is a vendetta of yours against the Pawlings.
But I’m not concerned why you don’t like Pawlings. I just want to know anything you think might have happened.
I have more concern for this case than you can imagine, and know more than you will ever hear in the paper or by word of mouth.
As far as having a “vendette”?, I beg to differ, there is no vendetta against Gerald Pawling or his wife by me or anyone. There is no “conspiracy” nor are people picking on him as I am sure you think is the case. He created this mess all by himself and will deal with it all by himself, well other than having you in his corner. He is not a victim here, he is an offender, and soon to be a Defendant and rightfully deserved.
As far as me informing you about anything, you have a better chance of seeing God, you can talk all you want and pretend to know things but the truth is you know what you read and hear at council meeting and from your friends behind closed doors. Well let me assure you of one thing, this is only the tip of the iceberg as you say. When all the fact and circumstances come out you will be thinking twice about publicly defending anyone like you have here. Just keep quiet and realize GERALD PAWLING is going to get exactly what he deserves.
He played, and manipulated the system for 18 years hiding behind SHE-MAN (that’s Rita Shesko in case you didn’t know) and now the gloves are off. She is not going to jail for Gerald or Stacy Pawling, or anyone else for that matter. Gerald can start making up stories about little elf’s who put all this money into his accounts and then brought the evidence to his house where it was planted but it will help him none. He can’t take back what he has done and he can not escape the consequences, HE’S DONE and it’s about time.
I speak publicly because I am sick of watching him win and others loose but most people (like you) will whisper and talk when no one is listening…..NOT ME.
Maybe when he is arrested and arranged we can sit next to each other?, I will save you a seat.You can cheer for him in public if you want.?
Dave allegedly almost “put his life on the line for the Pagens too. The people that live on Elm St. thought that more homes would be built across the street. Instead they got an illegal junk yard.
Dave wrote that they were building an auto repair business.
You can read all about it on the Coatesville Dems blog.
Maybe you’ll liike this one:
Gerald sllegedly may have “stolen” $8,000 from Weed and Seed. I’ve not seen that mentioned in the press. If he did It’s a Federal offense and it could put him in more trouble than all the rest. But he’s night not be the only one who has done this.
I don’t mind anonymous posting. Some people would not write anything if they had to identify themselves.
What does Dave or his business have to do with Gerald being a thief?, NOTHING. Stick to the story, Gerald is a thief and you seem to have less to say this time. I PRAY that he is charged Federally, and as far as others go, I PRAY it is true and they are all locked up, including his wife who was involved in every aspect of his crime spree.
Maybe the Crime Victims Center who gave Gerald that award will help the Police, Children and all those who donated to the funds Gerald was stealing from. Stop with the Dave comments and deal with the facts, GERALD PAWLING and STACY PAWLING are thieves.
I look forward to hearing your future comments.
I suggest you lock all your doors then, or do you mean you plan on moving to Gratersford? He is going to need someone to put money on his books good thing he has the support of the Coatesville Times and you.
Couldn’t agree with you more “Not Surprised”, we can split a pack of smokes for Gerald.
Hey, “Me” if you know as much as you say about Coatesville cops you know that Gerald Pawling is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you really want to get into corruption in Coatesville why not talk about the two former Coatesville PD officers that are alleged members of the Road Runner motorcycle gang, a Pagans subgroup. There was that gang fight on March 5, 2009 at the Quattro Bar and Grille, 2535 S. 13th. St., where Pagan gang members visited two Road Runners. Philadelphia shut down the bar because they were concerned about a “war” between the Pagans and Hell’s Angels. David and Daniel Norcini now operate the Norcini Salvage Yard on Elm Street. I don’t believe the Norcinis are involved with drug trafficking but the Pagans are a prime player in Delaware Valley drug trafficking. By the way, auto junkyards are zoned heavy industrial in Coatesville. The property the Norcini Auto Salvage Yard is on is zoned business commercial. It’s an illegal use. No one in Coatesville’s government wants to complain.
This is Chester County, where Republicans control everything since before Lincoln was a Republican. There are no clean Republicans here; only varying degrees of mafia type organized crime Republicans. Democrats will try, but they’re powerless to help anyone.
If you want to stay sane, if you want to accomplish anything besides ranting you have to accept the good with the bad.
For instance you need to work with some ministers of the Lord who accept drug dealer’s coin in the collection plate. You have to work with some people you believe have embezzled public funds (and didn’t get caught, yet). You have to work with public officials that use female subordinates for sex and then pay for their abortions.
I know what they did and I meet people where they are. I might be cautious but I don’t give up on people.
I still like Gerald Pawling; he’s my neighbor.
Hey Mr. Pitcherella,
“former Coatesville PD officers”, You said it FORMER. Nothing more needed to be said about that. It is obvious you don’t care for Dave but he is trying to run a business in the Hell Hole of a City and if I were him I would pull out and let the City loose out on my business payments and taxes, something they need more of. He put his life on the line for years protescting ungreatfull people like you only to get screwed over by the City yet you bad mouth him and protect a thief……..Strange how your old, twisted mind works.
I guess you are more of a supporter of the Kool Bar, 6th Street Deli, One of the “Barber Shops” (all selling drugs) or one of those Mexican Bodegas that are nothing but fronts for illegal gambling and money laundering, makes complete sense how you think. Stop walking around with you hear in the sand and wake up, the Coatesville that you knew and lived is DEAD and GONE and even your little superhero Rodger Ollis can’t save it.
“I still like Gerald Pawling; he’s my neighbor”, Sums it all up right there about you. If my neighbor was a thief and a disgrace of a police officer I would surely not be saying things like that in a public forum.
You are really confused aren’t you, he STOLE over 75k from OTHER COPS, KIDS AND THE PUBLIC, and forged other Police officers names while committing these crimes. He stole evidence not once, but twice from his own department where he was entrusted to be the guardian of such items. He probably even stole from you if you donated to the Magic Show, football or baseball boosters, yet you believe in Coatesville and him. I say stay quiet and keep theses ridiculous comments to yourself. But then again, it’s your money, if you feel he deserves another chance then maybe you can become pen pals with him in Prison or help support his kids when his wife looses her license to practice medicine when she is charged. Hell, maybe you can adopt his 5 kids and support them while putting money on the books for Gerald to get smokes and a T.V. in the County Prison.
Hey, as long as there is no more Graffiti being spray painted on those run down, dilapidated holes you call houses in the City all is well, right Mr. Pitcherella.
You asked if I know about these things, Gerald and the other things…….I KNOW EVERYTHING so feel free to keep this up because I have no problem defending those that deserve to be defended and OUTING those that deserve to be outed. You can be the catalyst for both if you choose.
Just like Mike McGann who can’t even spell the main characters name correct but wants to talk about his obligation to “help put things in perspective for our readers — would be the height of irresponsibility”, yet knows nothing about writing a good solid article about a would be thief. I think there will be plenty of time for him to practice in the future with this story, maybe he will make it about him and not others…………But as long as Kathleen Brady She keeps getting her information from those she helps to out, all is well right?……………..
You always seem to feel the need to mention those who have nothing to do with things don’t you Kathy. Why don’t you report the story, he is a thief period. NOT he is a thief and……Oh by the way this, that, and the other about people who have moved on. Why do you need to a open old doors that have been closed, those people deserve some closure don’t you think Kathy?
Disgusting!
We reported the relevant facts of the case and appropriate background — if you have a problem with that you should focus your fury on the actors, not those reporting the facts to the public at large. We will not and should not disregard our responsibility to inform the public just because a few people find it inconvenient.
Pauling was in the middle of an embarrassing chapter in the history of the Coatesville Police Department and to fail to mention it — to help put things in perspective for our readers — would be the height of irresponsibility.
No, You “reported” facts that have nothing do do with the story at hand, simply to bring things up again. The fact that Pawling (this is how you spell his name, report that correctly) is a suspected thief is the story, NOT what he allegedly did to others months/years ago. All that does is put others and their families in positions that they shouldn’t have to be placed in, yet again because of the way you reported this. That portion of the story adds NOTHING to your story, NOTHING.
He “garnered unwanted attention”, meaning poor him? He was a lier and a cheat then, and now it is “unwanted attention” as far as you see it. Then there is your title, “Decorated”, really? he is a suspected thief and you think praising him for what he did then is a good idea?, How about letting everyone know that while he was being given access to peoples children, financial donations and trust your “decorated” Detective was stealing anything that wasn’t nailed down, including evidence.
You have an obligation to report the facts, not add fluff that has no bearing on the facts of the case and not putting titles on a piece of garbage thief who stole from his own brothers and sister in blue, the children, DA’s office, PAL and the evidence locker.
report him for what he is, not what he was!