Carter Tafner dies

ELYSBURG - Carter Tafner, who defended his sister, Thea, at her sentencing on embezzlement charges in federal court last year, has died.

Northumberland County Corner James Kelley confirmed Tuesday that Tafner died of natural causes.

Tafner lived at the same location as his business, Creations by Carter, along Route 54 in Rush Township between Elysburg and Danville.

Thea Tafner, the former ambulance committee chairwoman for American Hose and Chemical Fire Company, Mount Carmel, was sentenced in May to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1.8 million in restitution to American Hose.

Carter Tafner told the judge he needed his sister's help getting to the hospital and accomplishing daily activities due to health problems.