Nov. 26--A former Moosic borough councilman who admitted stealing nearly $400,000 from the Greenwood Hose Company was sentenced today to 11 to 23 months in prison.
William Sweeney, the fire company's former president, pleaded guilty in August in Lackawanna County Court to one count each of theft and forgery for stealing the money over a seven-year period.
Police say Mr. Sweeney wrote numerous checks to himself on the fire company's account from September 2006 to January 2013. He obtained the funds by forging the name of the fire company's treasurer. The thefts were discovered after several vendors complained they had not been paid.
The sentence, imposed by Judge Michael Barrasse, was in the mid-range of sentencing guidelines, which called for a sentence of anywhere of six to 12 months to 14 to 28 months in prison, said Assistant District Attorney Michael Ossont.
Mr. Sweeney apologized to the his family, friends and community, Mr. Ossont said. His attorney, William Peters, spoke of the many fundraisers Mr. Sweeney had taken part in during his years with the fire department.
Judge Barrasse noted Mr. Sweeney's contributions to the community, but said a period of incarceration was warranted given the serious nature of the charges, Mr. Ossont said.
"The judge mentioned how he put the community he did so much work for at risk by taking money from such an organization," Mr. Ossont said.
Mr. Sweeney was ordered to pay a total of $395,811.11 in restitution. Mr. Ossont said Mr. Sweeney has already repaid a portion of that and now owes $288,311.11.
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