WARREN Former water department worker unlikely to receive jail sentence

The defendant remains free after posting a $5,000 bond.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The former head cashier for the city's water department, who pleaded guilty to theft in office, will most likely not be sentenced to jail.
An alternative facility and house arrest will be recommend for Debra A. Dunewood of Valley Southwest as part of a plea agreement, said her attorney, Gilbert Rucker III.
"It will be up to the judge, however, to decide if he wants to accept the agreement," Rucker said.
Dunewood, who remains free after posting a $5,000 bond, entered the guilty plea to a charge of theft in office Tuesday in the courtroom of Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Judge Logan said Dunewood would be sentenced after a background check. She could receive up to 18 months in prison.
Dunewood was approved for a disability retirement from the city Feb. 13, 2000.
In June 2001, the state auditor's office issued a finding for recovery of $26,036 against her.
Dunewood will also be ordered to make restitution, Rucker said. The probation department and the judge will determine the amount she will have to pay.
What audit showed
The audit further found that Dunewood sometimes delayed depositing receipts, an indication that cash was not being deposited. That shows a potential scheme to divert cash and delay deposits until sufficient subsequent receipts are accumulated to cover the amount diverted, the audit said.
Richard Griffing, water office manager, was suspended without pay for a few days after being found guilty of administrative charges of gross neglect of duty, dishonesty and nonfeasance regarding the missing money.
He is responsible for overseeing collections and deposits of revenues.
The city determined that between April 3 and May 1, 2000, Griffing did not enforce a water department policy that money is to be deposited within 24 hours of collection.
Griffing and his brother, David, the city auditor, were both charged with one misdemeanor count of dereliction of duty. The charges came after a yearlong investigation of the water department by the FBI and city police.
Richard Griffing's charge was later dismissed and David Griffing was acquitted.
sinkovich@vindy.com