11-04-2025
Warrant issued for former Pottsville Sewer Authority director Joe Spotts
TAMAQUA — An arrest warrant has been issued for Joseph Spotts, the former executive director of the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority and former member of the Humane Fire Company.
Spotts, 65, has been charged by Pottsville Police with felony theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property after he allegedly stole $2,100 from a skills machine money box at Humane Fire Company over a span of three weeks
The warrant was issued about 1:30 p.m. Friday, according to an employee of Magisterial District Judge Stephen Bayer's office in Tamaqua.
The Humane Fire Company notified Pottsville Police about the theft, records show.
Spotts was seen on camera taking the money, according to the police report.
He then paid back the money on March 22, police said.
Spotts told officers that he returned the money to the fire company after applying for a loan, police said.
AJ Alves, president of the Humane Fire Company, said it removed Spotts as a member, which he had been for 48 years.
Spotts later resigned as head of the sewer authority. He was also active on several city boards.
Mayor Mark Atkinson said he took steps to remove him from all city-appointed positions after When Pottsville officials found out about the theft charge against Spotts. Among those were director of emergency management and a member of the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority.
Dan Kelly Jr. is the acting director of the emergency management until he can be officially appointed at Monday's city council meeting, Atkinson said.
Spotts also resigned as head of the city Democratic party, Dorothy Botto confirmed Thursday.
A meeting will be held to see who is interested in being the next head of the party, Botto said.
