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Woman Charged With Stealing $852K From Delaware County Construction Firm

MEDIA, Pa. (AP) — The former bookkeeper has been charged with stealing more than $852,000 from a family-owned construction firm in eastern Pennsylvania since 2007.

Online court records don't list an attorney for 54-year-old Ruth Phillips, of Aston Township, Delaware County, who also does not have a listed home phone.

Phillips was arraigned Thursday on 687 counts of forgery, which pertain to checks she allegedly wrote to herself or to make purchases on her behalf to other businesses before she was caught earlier this year. She also faces three broad theft-related charges.

She allegedly stole the money from Aston-based Pop Tuna Builders, formerly known as D'Annunzio & Sons.

Investigators say Aston signed over $40,000 in a savings account, as well as her home, after the thefts were discovered earlier this year, before she stopped cooperating with investigators.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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