The trial for a former Lackawannock Township tax collector accused of embezzling more than $40,000 has been continued.

Barbara Estman, 56, of 218 Reiber Road, was charged in January by the state police with embezzling $41,053 over the 14 years she served as tax collector.

Ms. Estman's case had been scheduled for the July trial term of the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas, which runs through July 25.

According to the affidavit of probable cause:

A shortage in tax funds was initially discovered when West Middlesex Area School District was audited, and preliminary reports indicated a possible misappropriation of funds. Then the township and county had their own audits conducted.

The audits showed Mercer County was missing $25,983 and the township was missing $15,070. No money was missing from the school district.

Police theorize that Ms. Estman took tax money paid to the township or county and credited the funds toward the school district in an effort to hide the shortage.