The former president of the defunct Old Forge Ambulance and Rescue Association was sentenced to jail, house arrest and five years of court supervision Tuesday for embezzling thousands from the organization.
Robert Gotay, 50, 1216 Washburn St., Scranton, told Old Forge police he has a severe gambling problem and admitted writing checks to himself from the ambulance organization’s account, police said.
Judge Michael Barrasse ordered him to serve one month in the Lackawanna County Prison and three months of house arrest followed by court supervision.
Mr. Gotay had previously pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking, a misdemeanor, in exchange for the dropping of two felony charges.
After he was initially accused of stealing $16,000, prosecutors agreed he would pay $12,600 in restitution after he showed documentation that led to the reduction, Deputy District Attorney Jennifer McCambridge said.
The ambulance association, which is out of service, is a private entity separate from the borough, Old Forge Police Chief Jason Dubernas said. Pennsylvania Ambulance covers the borough.
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