A former Concord Township secretary has resigned from her secretarial position with Prospect Borough while her theft and fraud criminal case continues to be halted and rescheduled, with the latest hold-up Tuesday.

Judith A. Stoops, 51, of West Sunbury was charged with theft and fraud in October 2018. She is alleged to have defrauded the township of more than $12,000 during her time as secretary.

Tuesday's court appearance was scheduled to address her lawyer's concerns that Stoops' 4th and 14th amendment rights were violated when information for the case was collected. Stoops didn't appear during the hearing and her lawyer, Ryan Mergl, was 30 minutes late.

When Mergl arrived, he asked Judge William Shaffer to reschedule the hearing, so that he could have more time to process the information in the case. Shaffer rescheduled with a deadline of May 21 for Mergl to file additional concerns and arguments. According to court documents, jury selection will be held in early June.

Stoops was fired as secretary with Concord after the allegations, but continues to remain active in the township as the judge of elections. She was elected to the four-year position in November 2017.

“I just think she let a lot of people down with what's going on,” said Concord Supervisor Kandi Nassy after Tuesday's hearing. “The secretary is the first line of defense. They're supposed to keep everyone informed. It's someone who you're supposed to trust and who helps to keep you in compliance with the law.”

But other Concord officials had concerns about her integrity, prompting the appointment of two township residents to oversee Stoops' conduct during the primary elections later this month.

Stoops also worked as secretary for Prospect Borough since Sept. 11, 2017, but she no longer works there, according to Andrew Menchyk, borough solicitor. Menchyk said that Stoops voluntarily resigned effective April 29. Menchyk said that Stoops did not indicate why she resigned, nor did she make any mention of her criminal case.

Stoops continues to work as a secretary with Marion Township. Representatives from Marion were unavailable for comment.

In Concord, Stoops allegedly used fake mileage and health care reimbursement claims between January 2016 and March 2017, according to a police report.