SUNBURY, Pa. (AP) - Eight former social service agency workers have pleaded guilty to stealing from charitable funds intended for needy children.
Seven employees and a volunteer were charged in connection with the Christmastime thefts last year of nearly $12,000 worth of gift certificates donated by businesses to benefit underprivileged children.
The Northumberland County Children and Youth workers entered the plea Monday in exchange for an agreement by prosecutors to recommend 23 months' probation for each defendant along with 300 hours of community service, restitution and a fine.
One defendant was also charged with misuse of funds from the agency's Christmas Fund, also intended for disadvantaged children.
Trials of three other people charged in the thefts have not begun. Two other were expected to plead guilty.
All of the workers were fired from the agency in April. Many of them were case workers.