Testimony begins in LCCC theft trial

WILKES-BARRE -- Prosecutors have begun presenting witnesses in the theft trial of a former associate dean, including a food service worker who began tracking missing money.

Luzerne County Assistant District Attorneys Michael Melnick and Shannon Crake called two witnesses Tuesday morning, including Sheldon Owens, the college's food service director, who said he received complaints about missing money from November 2005 to November 2006.

Owens testified he began keeping track of the missing money on a calendar, and that on each of the days money was missing, Peter Moses was responsible for delivering the money to the college's business office.

Moses, 59, of Wilkes-Barre, was charged in September 2008 with stealing more than $17,000 and two laptop computers from the school.

A jury of eight men and six women, including two alternates, was chosen Monday morning. Melnick and Moses’ attorney, William Ruzzo, presented their opening statements Monday afternoon.

Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Senior Judge Kenneth Brown said testimony in the case will continue this afternoon.

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