Former Coatesville detective arraigned on forgery, theft charges

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

Accompanied by his attorney, Daniel R. Bush (right), Gerald D. Pawling, a former Coatesville detective, arrives at Caln district court for his arraignment on theft charges.

With five relatives seated behind him, a former Coatesville Police detective was arraigned on eight counts of forgery and 51 counts of theft-by-unlawful-taking in Caln district court Thursday morning.

Gerald D. Pawling, 42, who worked in the Coatesville Police Department for nearly 17 years before taking early retirement in May 2012, kept his hands clenched and head down during most of the brief proceeding.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Valocchi set bail at $200,000 unsecured, with the condition that Pawling refrain from involvement in the financial matters of any nonprofit, even “a hotdog stand.”

Pawling’s attorney, Daniel R. Bush, said none of the allegations should minimize the years of community service Pawling performed. “It’s a very difficult day,” said Bush. “He’s always been used to being on the other side …”

Shortly after the arraignment, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan held a news conference to announce Pawling’s arrest. Hogan was accompanied by Coatesville Police Chief Jack Laufer, Chief County Detective James Vito, and Assistant District Attorney Carlos Barraza, assigned as prosecutor.

“This is a simple case of a good cop gone bad,” said Hogan. “He was respected, he was admired, he was trusted; unfortunately he used those qualities as a smokescreen to steal from his fellow police officers.”

Chester County Detectives executed two search warrants at Pawling’s Caln Township residence on July 24 and 25. According to the search warrants, Pawling became the focus of an investigation on April 30 after Coatesville Det. Kevin Campbell took over the presidency of the Coatesville Police Benevolent Association (CPBA), a post previously held by Pawling.

Campbell found “a pattern of suspicious payments” when he reviewed the books – numerous unauthorized checks to Pawling and his wife, Stacey Pawling, the warrants said. Hogan said no evidence appeared to suggest that Stacy Pawling was aware of the scheme to defraud the police union, a “blue on blue” crime that allegedly occurred because Pawling was “so trusted that he was selected” to handle the association’s money.

“Everyone knew him, and everyone liked him,” said Hogan of Pawling. “What they didn’t know is … he was living beyond his means and he was running out of money.” As a result, Hogan said Pawling “would reach out and write himself a check.”

Hogan said at least one instance of alleged forgery was easy to detect: Pawling misspelled the name of a former colleague, Lt. James Audette, on the check.

Pawling, the father of five children, lived in a house fitted with entertainment amenities, including a pool, a hot tub, a giant flat-screen TV, even a home-theater popcorn station in a finished basement, Hogan said. He said the former youth coach is accused of stealing $46,509 from CPBA.

Calling the thefts “a crime of opportunity,” Hogan said that when County Detectives Thomas J. Goggin and Martin Carbonell reviewed the CPBA financial records, they saw a pattern in the alleged thefts during a three- to four-year period from 2009 to 2012. They occurred when Pawling was low on cash, Hogan said.

He said most of the allegations in the search warrant regarding thefts from the Police Athletic League had largely been explained and “taken off the table.” But the investigation is continuing, he said.

Hogan praised the Coatesville Police Department and its chief for their courage in not sweeping the crime “under the rug.” Describing the morale in the department, Laufer said, “Certainly, it’s disappointing, but it is not disheartening.” He said it was unusual that the alleged victims were fellow police officers, which “makes it personal,” but he said such conduct would not be tolerated, no matter who is accused.

According the sentencing guidelines, the standard penalty for forgery is probation to one month in prison. Pawling also faces four counts of felony theft-by-unlawful-taking, which carries a standard range of probation to nine months, and 47 counts of misdemeanor theft-by-unlawful-taking, which is probation to one month in jail. Prosecutors declined comment on whether they would seek a prison term.

According to the criminal complaint, Pawling was interviewed by detectives on Aug. 6 and admitted that he stole money from the CPBA and forged signatures of fellow officers in the process.

Hogan said Pawling’s arrest constituted “a sad day” for police and prosecutors. “A respected member of law enforcement has crossed the line,” he said.