A long-term internal investigation at Cedar Cliff High School has culminated in the arrest of a school employee accused of misappropriating thousands of dollars in cash proceeds from athletic events over nearly a decade.
The Lower Allen Township Police Department announced that Karen Lauer-Pines has been charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking following an extensive probe into the school’s financial records.
The investigation began in September 2025, after West Shore School District officials alerted police to discrepancies in cash ticket sales from sporting events. Investigators meticulously reviewed records dating back to 2018, identifying approximately 274 home sporting events where funds appeared to be missing or manipulated.
According to police, the scheme involved the systematic theft and misappropriation of cash ticket proceeds. Detectives estimate that Lauer-Pines stole approximately $10,000 over the course of seven years.
Court documents reveal that Lauer-Pines was interviewed by police and confirmed her involvement in the ticket sales manipulation. Lauer-Pines faces one count of Theft by Unlawful Taking, a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania.
The West Shore School District has not yet released a formal statement regarding Lauer-Pines’ current employment status, though they have been cooperating fully with the Lower Allen Township Police Department since the onset of the internal audit.
This incident marks a significant breach of trust within the Cedar Cliff community, which relies heavily on ticket revenue to support its athletic programs and student-athletes. Under Pennsylvania law, Lauer-Pines is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
