The former treasurer of the Shenango Township Volunteer Fire Department has agreed to have the criminal charges filed against her proceed to Mercer County Common Pleas Court.

Jacalyn A. Varga, 50, of 450 Pulaski Road, Shenango Township, was charged by the Mercer County Sheriff's Department with two counts of theft and one count of receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing $967 from the department.

Ms. Varga had her attorney, Jarrett K. Whalen, sign a stipulation Wednesday that, if witnesses were called at her preliminary hearing, prosecutors could show that a crime occurred and that she might have been involved.

District Justice Henry J. Russo, Hermitage, held the charges for court.

Ms. Varga, wife of former Fire Chief Joseph Varga, was released on her own recognizance.

As part of the stipulation agreement, prosecutors will turn over voluminous fire department and bank records for Whalen's review, Assistant District Attorney William Moder said.

Criminal charges were filed Aug. 23, based on a June 2001 audit of the Center One social hall records that showed the money was missing.

The audit showed three checks were entered into department records, but not into the deposit book or bank statements, police said.

Ms. Varga told auditors she deposited the checks into the department's bank account but couldn't find deposit slips, police said.

The bank had no record of the deposits, police said.

Ms. Varga also told police she deposited the checks and did not take the money for her own use, police said.