A Butler woman is charged with allegedly running a fake raffle contest.

State police charged Debra S. Calahan, 62, with 34 misdemeanor counts of theft by deception. Calahan has not been arrested.

According to charging documents, Calahan sold raffle tickets as a fundraiser for the Portersville Prospect Rotary and listed the Raisley Funeral Home in Prospect as the sponsor. “Calahan never got permission from Raisley Funeral Home to list them as a sponsor,” said the investigating officer in the affidavit. “She also never obtained permission from the Rotary club to do this raffle.”

Police said Calahan sold most of the tickets at the Moraine Camplands in Brady Township and the S&S Market in Franklin Township.

According to the documents, Calahan sold the tickets at $20 for a prize of a Kawasaki Mule SX, side-by-side vehicle. Police said they interviewed all 35 people who bought tickets, some of whom bought more than one. According to the documents, Calahan stole $900.

Police said when they interviewed Calahan in November, she admitted to having the raffle without obtaining permission from the club or the sponsor. According to the documents, she told police she reserved the vehicle from First Bike in Franklin Township, and posted the winner on Facebook. “During a computer inquiry, I was unable to find said individual,” said the officer in the affidavit. “She related she was in the process of giving people their money back.”

Police said an employee from First Bike told them Calahan had at one point informed them she would be giving out a small cash prize, rather than the side-by-side.

Calahan's preliminary hearing is scheduled May 12 before District Judge Bill O'Donnell.