By Janice Morse
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIDDLETOWN - A 24-year-old Trenton woman is accused of stealing about $260,000 from a social club where she formerly worked.

Jennifer L. Taylor, who was released on her promise to appear Sept. 19 in Municipal Court, is charged with theft, a third-degree felony. If convicted, Taylor faces one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Taylor allegedly stole from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge 528 while she worked as the group's secretary. The case is the latest in a string of alleged large-sum embezzlements from Greater Cincinnati organizations. The unrelated cases have been discovered at churches, youth sports associations and other community groups.

The money was discovered missing in July, after an Eagles officeholder learned there were insufficient funds to cover a $2,000 check from an account that was supposed to contain $193,000.

The Eagles' new secretary, Mark Young, said the 1,500-member club has been able to maintain operations by transferring funds that had been invested in certificates of deposit.

Young could not be reached for comment Friday, nor could Taylor's lawyer, J. Gregory Howard.

E-mail jmorse@enquirer.com