A former Bristol Township official charged last April for allegedly misappropriating more than $14,000 in public funds for personal expenses had almost all of the charges filed against her dropped at a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Jessica Ireland, 41, of Bristol Township, was charged last with theft, receiving stolen property, use of the access device is unauthorized by the issuer, misapplying entrusted, government, or financial institution property, and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.
At the hearing in front of District Judge Kevin Wagner, according to court records, Bucks County prosecutors dropped all but one felony theft count.
Ireland served as the confidential secretary for the township manager starting in 2020 before being promoted to parks and recreation director in July 2025. Her employment with the township was terminated in early 2026, officials said.
Credit: Lower Bucks Hospital
Ireland, when elevated to parks and recreation director was required to turn over her administrative access to the township’s Amazon Business account to the new secretary for the township manager. Ireland failed to do so, police said in court records.
In September 2025, Township Manager Randee Mazur became aware of unauthorized charges on the township Amazon Business account, police said
Ireland told officials the charges were a mistake and that she believed she was using her personal account, police said in court papers.
An internal audit of the account revealed 370 unauthorized purchases totaling $14,000 between March and December 2025, according to the probable cause.
Ireland said according to court records, she was using her personal Venmo account to collect $340 for raffle tickets during the Fall Festival.
The funds, police said, were never turned over to the township.
File Image: Bristol Township
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
Police said Ireland took four $100 deposits paid for building rentals.
In December 2025, officials discovered Ireland’s personal cell phone bill was being charged to the credit card of the previous parks and recreation director, police said.
Ireland, according to the probable cause, allegedly said she had a impulsive spending issue. She admitted to investigators she would spend money recklessly.
Bristol Township officials said Ireland was no longer an employee and they cooperated with police. In February, prior to Ireland’s arrest.
Mazur announced an update to township’s administrative acquisition policy at a February Council meeting. Township officials did not comment on the reasoning, but did mention a “recent theft,” and provided no further context.
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Ireland, who remains free on unsecured bail is scheduled for a August 25 pre-trial guilty plea conference at the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.
At the time of Ireland’s arrest Bristol Township officials released the statement below.
“Bristol Township is aware of the arrest of former employee, Jessica Ireland, on charges related to the alleged misappropriation of funds.
“Ms. Ireland is no longer employed by Bristol Township. The Township has cooperated fully with the investigation and will continue to do so.
“Because this is an active legal matter, the Township will not provide further comment at this time.”
“Bristol Township remains committed to protecting public resources and maintaining the trust of its residents.“
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