Rita Wynegar

A York City police officer has been on administrative leave since authorities began investigating his wife for allegedly embezzling more than $300,000 from her elderly aunt.

Officer Michael Wynegar remains on unpaid leave, York City Police Capt. Ron Camacho confirmed.

He has not been charged in connection to the alleged embezzlement, according to police.

Wynegar was hired by the department in 2011, Camacho said.

His wife, Rita L. Wynegar, 52, of 431 Dartha Drive, remains free on $25,000 bail, charged with the third-degree felonies of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and two counts of forgery.

In April 2010, the York County Area Agency on Aging notified state authorities that Lidia Coito was being financially exploited, according to charging documents.

Nearly evicted: The agency began looking into Coito's finances when it learned she was about to be evicted from the Brunswick at Longstown for failing to pay what she owed the Springettsbury Township personal-care home, documents state.

Coito granted Rita Wynegar, her great-niece, power of attorney in June 2002, authorities said. Initially, Rita Wynegar had assistance from a local financial-consulting firm.

Full control? But she took full control of her aunt's finances in 2006 and in October of that year, Coito's money began to disappear, documents allege.

Rita Wynegar is accused of stealing $309,490.51 from Coito without the elderly woman's knowledge or consent.

The embezzlement happened between October 2006 and April 2010, documents allege.

"We're currently investigating the case and looking into the specific allegations," said Rita Wynegar's defense attorney, Kenneth Raleigh.

-- Staff writer Liz Evans Scolforo can also be reached at levans@yorkdispatch.com.