Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi has announced that 55-year-old Carol Polenik of Clymer has been charged with stealing more than $250,000 from The Open Door of Indiana County, a local nonprofit agency that provides crisis intervention, mental health, and drug and alcohol treatment services.
According to Manzi, Polenik is facing multiple charges, including Theft by Unlawful Taking and Access Device Fraud, both felonies of the third degree, and Tampering with Records.
Investigators say the thefts occurred between July 2024 and June 2025, while Polenik was employed by the organization. Within 24 hours of her final day of work, staff members at The Open Door discovered financial irregularities and determined that funds had been stolen.
The Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Investigation Division at Troop A led the investigation. Authorities say Polenik tried to cover her tracks by destroying a credit card and hiding account information, but troopers were able to recover the necessary records. The investigation revealed that Polenik used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including online gambling.
Polenik was scheduled for a preliminary hearing today before District Judge Anthony Sottile, but she waived her right to that hearing. The case will now move forward to the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas.
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