Local actor charged with stealing thousands from community theatre

Megan Riggs in EPAC production of ‘Of Mice and Men’

A local actor and former finance manager for a Pennsylvania community theatre has been charged with embezzling over $2,000 from the nonprofit organization.

Megan Riggs faces charges of access device fraud and theft by deception for making $2,840.71 in personal purchases using the theatre's credit card and checks in 2021 and 2022.

Suspicion arose among employees of the Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC) when Riggs failed to submit monthly credit card reports from April to August 2022, despite repeated requests, as stated in the charging documents.

In August, employees demanded Riggs submit her statements by the 26th. On August 24th, Riggs sent in the statements along with a resignation letter and a check to reimburse the theatre for what she called an “accidental personal purchase,” according to the documents.

EPAC hired an outside accountant to review Riggs' spending. The accountant raised concerns about a series of questionable purchases.

The charging documents indicate that Riggs, who is attending law school at Widener University, used the theatre’s credit card for textbooks, a hotel stay, and expenses at a restaurant and salon. Riggs claimed these were “inadvertent mistakes.” Despite months of deliberation and a partial repayment offer, Riggs ceased communication, and EPAC never heard from her attorney.

The theatre contacted the police, who discovered that Riggs made 22 unauthorized purchases using company accounts. These included five gas fill-ups for her 19-gallon tank, with some labeled as Amazon or Giant grocery store purchases, and a dinner for two at Iron Hill Brewery.

Additionally, Riggs wrote $740 in unauthorized checks, which she deposited into her bank account and used to reimburse a friend, as per the criminal complaint.

EPAC board of directors President Andrea Glass stated that the theatre is cooperating with the police and has updated its financial security measures, including outsourcing its accounting and bookkeeping.

Riggs was arrested on May 29th and has been released on $5,000 bail.