Police in Berks County, Pennsylvania have arrested Denise M. Bitler, the former director of benefits for casino operator Penn National Gaming, for allegedly stealing and using more than $75,000 worth of gift cards meant for the company’s employees.
Bitler has been charged with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by deception, access device fraud, unlawful use of a computer and receiving stolen property.
According to police, as director of benefits for Penn from October 2014 to June 2019, Bitler ran the company’s wellness program, under which employees who hit wellness goals were rewarded with $25 or $50 gift cards. Bitler was responsible for ordering, maintaining and distributing the gift cards to human resources officials at the company’s casinos and racetracks, who would then award them to employees. Bitler allegedly cashed them in herself, using the money for vacations, retail purchases and medical bills.
The charges also state that Bitler defrauded the company out of another $2,400 by listing her family members as nonsmokers, when they actually were smokers, for two years. Total losses claimed by Penn National come to $75,350.
Berks County detectives began their investigation July 9 when they were contacted by Penn National Gaming.
Headquartered in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Penn National owns and operates 41 casinos and racetracks in 19 states, including the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville.
