PD News

November 23, 2009

Former district judge sentenced in federal court

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter   |   Terrie Morgan-Besecker on Facebook   |   @TLTerrieMorgan on Twitter

 

WILKES-BARRE - A federal judge on Monday ordered former district magistrate Karen Holly to serve 30 days in a halfway house and two years probation for stealing more than $6,000 from the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority.

Holly and her attorney, William Ruzzo, had hoped she would receive a sentence of straight probation. But U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo said he felt compelled to include some term of incarceration because the theft involved public funds.

“It’s important that we distinguish this case from other cases of simple embezzlement,” Caputo said. “This recognizes, when you violate public trust, you pay the penalty.”

Holly, 51, of West Pittston, pleaded guilty in August to one count of theft of funds concerning programs receiving federal funding. Federal prosecutors say Holly, who served as a district magistrate in West Pittston from 2002 to 2003, used her position as a billing clerk to pocket money that was paid to the authority by rate payers.

A tearful Holly apologized for the crime, telling Caputo she took the money because she was having personal and financial problems.

“I was going to put it back,” Holly said, her voiced choked with emotion. “I can’t explain why I did it . . . Something just happened. It wasn’t me.”

Holly was allowed to remain free pending the imposition of the sentence. Ruzzo said Holly will most likely serve her 30 days at a federal halfway house in Scranton. No report date was set as there are no free beds at this time, Ruzzo said.

For the complete story, read The Times Leader on Tuesday.

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