Pennsylvania civil suit has Cape Region connection

Dewey Beach figures in a civil action in the Philadelphia suburbs involving a former town manager, a member of one of the Cape Region’s most beloved musical acts and $3.2 million.

In December 2019, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office charged former Kennett Township Manager Lisa Moore with embezzling $3.2 million in taxpayer funds, allegedly forging documents or using a rubber stamp with the signature of the former chairman of the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors Scudder Stevens. Moore was charged with more than 130 counts of theft, forgery, receiving stolen property and tampering with public information, among many other charges.

In court documents in Chester County, Moore’s official address is listed as Dewey Beach.

On April 30, the Kennett Township initiated a civil lawsuit against Moore and her significant other, Brian Gore, guitarist for the band Love Seed Mama Jump. According to officials with the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Moore had created a phony marriage to Gore, resulting in $50,000 in medical benefits for Gore. The District Attorney’s Office did not charge Gore with any crimes related to Moore.

Kennett Township Board of Supervisors is seeking to recover the embezzled money in a variety of ways, including the courts. Moore had served as township manager for nearly a decade before she was terminated in May 2019 on suspicion of financial impropriety. 

“Despite the many hurdles this process has presented, the board remains committed to recovering every dollar, and it is wholly appropriate for Moore and Gore to make township taxpayers whole,” said board Vice Chairwoman Whitney Hoffman. 

According to news reports, Moore is accused of using taxpayer funds to pay for trips to Europe, buy designer clothes and purchase expensive jewelry. She has waived her preliminary hearing and is free on $500,000 unsecured bond.