A former director at Doylestown (Pa.) Hospital on April 15 pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $600,000 from a hospital charity account, according to ABC affiliate WPVI.
Norma Galagarza, who retired as the hospital's director of medical staff in March 2021, was charged with stealing a total of $604,702 from a hospital account that the board of directors was unaware was even open, according to WHHY.
She pleaded guilty to various felonies — including theft by unlawful taking, forgery, access device fraud and computer trespassing — and was sentenced to five years probation, according to the report.
There were nearly 900 unauthorized transactions on the unknown account between 2008 and 2021. According to the Bucks County district attorney's office, the account was opened in 1991 and funded by physicians.
Ms. Galagarza used the money for personal expenses, but has paid full restitution to Doylestown Hospital medical staff, according to the report.
"It is important to note that the misdirected funds were private funds raised by and for the use of Doylestown Health’s independent medical staff," the system said in an Oct. 26 statement after the charges were announced. "They were not connected to the operation of Doylestown Hospital, nor related to the Doylestown Health Foundation. The misappropriation of these funds has had no impact on patient care or delivery of services."