Saturday, August 23, 2003
The educator is accused of pocketing more than $4,000 in Salem money.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Charles McShane, former Lisbon schools superintendent and Salem High School principal, faces a possible jail term and fine after pleading guilty to theft in office.
In a surprise move, McShane, 53, of Kennedy Drive, Salem, appeared Wednesday before Judge David Tobin of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court and pleaded guilty to the fifth-degree felony, stemming from actions associated with the Salem school district.
The crime bears a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
County Prosecutor Robert Herron has recommended, however, that McShane receive a six-month jail sentence in exchange for his guilty plea.
Judge Tobin is not bound to accept the plea deal. He ordered a presentence investigation. A sentencing date has yet to be set.
Meanwhile, McShane is free on a personal recognizance bond.
The plea deal also called for McShane to resign as Lisbon superintendent, a $84,327-a-year job he has held since January 2001.
Resigned Sunday
McShane tendered his resignation as superintendent Sunday.
The Lisbon school board met in special session Wednesday and accepted it.
The board then appointed Donald Thompson, Lisbon high school principal, as interim superintendent.
McShane was never indicted, but he agreed instead to plead guilty to the crime as described by authorities in what is known as a bill of information.
He admitted that in fall 2000, while he was Salem High School principal, he cashed a $1,701 check made out to the high school and put the money in his personal account, Herron said.
The money was a payment to the school from a company that had done work associated with school photos.
Basketball proceeds
McShane also admitted that in February and early March of this year he pocketed about $2,475 in proceeds from a boys basketball tournament at Salem High School.
McShane was the ticket manager for the event, said Herron, who offered no details on what might have motivated McShane.
The prosecutor's office and Salem school authorities began investigating the matter after school officials noticed what appeared to be doctored ticket sales reports, Herron said.
Another aspect of his plea agreement required McShane to repay the money he took, which he has done, Herron said.
As a result of his being a convicted felon, McShane no longer will be able to hold public office, Herron added.
McShane also is expected to resign from the Salem Utilities Commission, a panel that oversees city utility matters.
Cynthia Altomare, school district treasurer, said today that she has reviewed Lisbon schools' books and that nothing appears amiss.
Altomare said she was caught off-guard by McShane's criminal act.
"I'm saddened by the whole thing," she said. "I was surprised. It was a pleasure working for him," she added.
"I have no clue," Altomare said as to what might have motivated McShane. "It clearly was not worth what he lost."
leigh@vindy.com