GROVE CITY — In a computer file named “Talking to God,” the former executive director of the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV allegedly detailed her guilt at having misused the organization’s credit card.

But a different audience, the Grove City Police, also read the 118-page file, and court documents say the writings now will be used in a criminal case against Cecelia H. Yauger, 56, of Grove City.

In April, Yauger resigned her $124,840-a-year position amid concerns about the company’s American Express credit card.

According to copies of the credit card bills obtained by the Butler Eagle in June, the credit was intended to be used for supplies and services for the MIU.

But instead, the bills note numerous purchases at retail stores such as Bloomingdales, Men’s Neckware, craft stores and restaurants.

The affidavit of probable cause filed against Yauger on Friday alleges only that the misspending tallied more than $2,000, which is the benchmark to file felony counts of theft and unauthorized use of an access device.

However, a forensic audit by Hill, Barth and King at the request of the MIU’s board concluded the amount of expenses on the card deemed “undocumented/Questionable” between August 2007 and April 2013 amounted to $72,465.

Yauger, who is free on a $10,000 unsecured bond, is to appear in Mercer County Court Nov. 12 for a formal arraignment. Her lawyer, Eugene Tempesta of Cranberry Township, did not return a telephone message seeking comment.

However, court records indicate Yauger in at least three written communications already expressed guilt.

Court records say Yauger wrote a letter to MIU solicitor Timothy McNickle on March 19 that includes the statement: “I am guilty of making poor decisions and choices when it comes to accounting for and engaging in work related expenditures.” She further details that there were items on the credit card that were “personal” and that she “fell into bad practice of convenience,” according to the court records.

When contacted Monday, McNickle said the letter was an e-mail he received from Yauger, and that she never provided an explanation for the spending or identified any problems in her life.

The court records further indicate that on the day Yauger was confronted with a Right To Know request pertaining to the credit card, she started the “Talking to God” document in her work computer.

Among the statements gleamed by investigators from that file and noted in court records, Yauger reportedly wrote, “I used the credit card for the wrong reasons. I know it. I did it.” and “My bad decisions have finally buried me.”

In her six-page resignation letter, Yauger reportedly agreed that she would make restitution for the “access and improper or unauthorized use of any resources, property and funds.”

On Friday, the MIU’s new executive director, Wayde Killmeyer, began work. He issued this statement Monday: “Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV’s board of directors has taken steps to increase our system of internal control. Specifically, they adopted credit card, fraud, and whistle-blower policies. I assure that these policies will be enforced.

“In addition, I intend to maintain open communication with the public about our practices and welcome questions about expenditures.

“The Intermediate Unit will continue to provide quality services to school districts and students in Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer counties.”

MIU IV is one of 29 regional education agencies under the state Department of Education. In Butler County, it serves Butler, Karns City, Mars, Moniteau, Seneca Valley, Slippery Rock and South Butler school districts and the Butler Area Vocational-Technical School.

It also serves 20 other districts in Mercer and Lawrence counties.

According to a release issued when Yauger was appointed executive director in June 2007, she had been employed in the education field for more than three decades, working her way up into administration.

She received her undergraduate degree from Slippery Rock University in 1979 and her master’s degree in special education supervision in 1985 from SRU.

After graduating in 1985, she was hired by the intermediate unit as special education supervisor. She became director of special education July 1, 1991; assistant executive director on July 1, 2005, and executive director July 1, 2007. She resigned on April 24, 2013.