Pennsylvania: Former Braddock manager sentenced for thefts

Former Braddock manager sentenced for thefts
By Annie Tubbs, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Braddock's former borough manager was sentenced to probation Wednesday for stealing nearly $170,000 from the distressed community since 2008.

Ella B. Jones, 58, of Turtle Creek, pleaded guilty to theft and forgery charges in March.

Judge Jill Rangos sentenced Ms. Jones to nine years of probation and ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $167,896. Some of the restitution may be paid by the borough's insurer.

"I trust that you will make your best efforts to make your borough and your community whole," Judge Rangos said.

The judge said it would be "counterproductive" to sentence Ms. Jones to jail because she would be unable to work and pay restitution.

"Incarceration would serve no rehabilitative purpose," Judge Rangos said, noting that Ms. Jones has no prior record.

Ms. Jones forged the names of three borough council members and misappropriated 153 borough checks made out to herself and to the borough, prosecutors said. She used more borough money to pay off credit card bills.

"She really victimized and betrayed our community terribly," Braddock Mayor John Fetterman said Wednesday.

He added that the sentence is appropriate, but he believes Ms. Jones should have been given jail time because of the amount of money stolen and the fact that the thefts occurred while the community was dealing with the closure of UPMC Braddock.

"I would have liked to have seen some prison time to drive home the fact that it's ... not appropriate to steal from a community that's struggling like we are," Mr. Fetterman said.

Ms. Jones, through tears, apologized for her actions Wednesday morning.

"I just thank you for trusting and believing in me and giving me this opportunity," she told the judge.

Ms. Jones' lawyer, Phillip DiLucente, said Ms. Jones suffers from depression and a gambling addiction.

Judge Rangos also ordered a mental health evaluation to address Ms. Jones' gambling addiction as a condition of probation.

Mr. DiLucente supported the length of the probation, saying that it is important that Ms. Jones is monitored while she makes restitution payments.

"I think the sentence was appropriate, well-reasoned and logical," he said.