Woman accused of bilking Burrell cheerleaders once was treasurer for the Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Ride

The woman charged with stealing money from a cheerleading booster group while she served as its treasurer once acted as treasurer for another well-known local charity.

Ashley Freiberg of Upper Burrell is accused of taking nearly $19,000 from the Burrell Cheer Booster club.

In 2021, she was the treasurer for the nonprofit Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Ride, one of the largest annual motorcycle rides in the area that raises money for a scholarship fund in Shaw’s memory.

Jaclyn Shaw, spokesperson for the Officer Brian Shaw Foundation and the Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Ride, confirmed Freiberg served as treasurer for the ride for one year. Shaw said the foundation and the ride are independent groups.

“At this time, we are not in the position to confirm or deny whether the Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Ride has been contacted by law enforcement regarding Ms. Freiberg’s involvement with our organization,” Shaw said in a statement. “To that end, we are obviously aware of the offenses with which Ms. Freiberg is charged and recognize that, although to date she has been formally charged, the investigation into the extent of Ms. Freiberg’s actions could be ongoing. As such, we are not in a position to offer comment on the same at this time. We are confident that the appropriate law enforcement and prosecuting agencies will handle this criminal case accordingly.”

Lower Burrell police, who filed the Burrell Cheer Boosters charges against Freiberg, did not respond to requests for comment Friday, and those charges against Freiberg do not indicate other victims or organizations are connected to the investigation.

Freiberg is facing a felony charge after police began an investigation in July. In February, the booster club was informed that its bank account was overdrawn and had been closed.

Police said their investigation found that total fraudulent transactions and money Freiberg allegedly took from the booster group exceeds $18,900.

Although the booster club supports Burrell School District cheerleaders, Superintendent Shannon Wagner said the booster club is not part of the district.

“The charges filed are associated with the cheerleader booster group and their finances,” Wagner said in a statement. “Booster group finances are not overseen by the school district nor are they connected to school district funding in any way.”

The group raises money through sales, dues and other fundraisers. It provides some supplies, training and awards to the district’s cheerleaders.

In a statement, head cheer coach Allison Kowalewski said the organization was made aware of the investigation July 12.

Freiberg was charged by summons so no bail was ordered. She did not have an attorney listed in court records. The original preliminary hearing date on the charges of Oct. 1 has been moved to an undetermined date.