WARREN Clerk of courts worker faces sentence for theft

The former county employee faces up to five years in prison.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office will recommend time behind bars for a former employee of the county Clerk of Courts Office.
Brenda Machuzak of Howland pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of theft in office. She will be sentenced after a background check by the adult probation department. Assistant prosecutor Dave Toepfer said he will ask Judge John Stuard of common pleas court for jail time.
Five years possible
She faces up to five years.
"We are recommending some amount of incarceration, either at the [county] jail or at a prison," Toepfer said. "It will be up to the judge to determine where and how long. We are also asking for full restitution."
Machuzak's attorney, Phil Vigorito, said he does not believe his client deserves incarceration.
"She had a drug addiction problem," Vigorito said. "She sought help for her problem and also admitted her guilt. She faced up to it. She cooperated with the investigation and, if anyone deserves probation, it is her."
Machuzak resigned Sept. 10 from her post in the title office after stealing about $9,000.
Toepfer said since she admitted the theft, she will no longer be able to work in a public office.
Machuzak was hired July 2001. She earned $10.99 per hour as a file clerk.
Margaret O'Brien, clerk of courts, said state auditors took a couple of weeks to go over the department's books to determine how much was taken.
What brought suspicion
Questions arose Aug. 23, when a car dealership complained that it never got a vehicle title it had paid for by check.
The check had been cashed.
O'Brien said she contacted the county prosecutor, who called the Ohio State Highway Patrol
The patrol began an investigation last month.
O'Brien noted Machuzak was placed on administrative leave shortly after the investigation started.
Between $700,000 and $800,000 passes through the title department each year, officials say.
sinkovich@vindy.com