Pocono News Section

Former Sewer Authority clerk asks for ARD

Former Sewer Authority clerk asks for ARD - Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 10:48AM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo WYOU TV News
Tuesday, Jan 27, 2009 @ 10:48am EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY

A woman charged with stealing funds from the Scranton Sewer Authority has asked to be placed in the county's Accelerated Rehabilitation Program.

44-year-old Tammy Lesh gave up her right to a preliminary hearing on theft charges Tuesday morning. Police charged her with stealing nearly $7,000 in customer payments made to the Sewer Authority. Mrs. Lesh was the authority's assistant chief cashier at the time. She has since been fired.

The authority's executive director, Eugene Barrett, aid he was disappointed about what he called the breach of public trust. He said additional security measures have been put into place to make sure customer's payments are accounted for properly.

The District Attorney's office will have to decide if it will allow Mrs. Lesh to become part of the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program. One provision would require that she make restitution to the authority.