YOUNGSTOWN Woman is told to a find lawyer in theft case

Her court appointed counsel was taken away.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Terri L. Wolfe has a car, a house, and, until recently, a job. Now she needs a lawyer.
Wolfe, 43, of North Navarre Avenue, Austintown, was in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, where she faces three counts of theft in office.
She is accused of stealing lunch money from Frank Ohl Middle School in Austintown, where she once worked as a cafeteria aide. Wolfe said she worked at the school from 1997 until resigning two months ago.
At a previous court appearance, Wolfe said she couldn't afford to pay a lawyer, so Atty. Terry Swauger of Warren was appointed to defend her at taxpayers' expense.
She can afford it
But during a hearing Wednesday, Judge Maureen Cronin ruled that Wolfe should not have been given court-appointed legal counsel because she can afford to pay a lawyer herself.
She said Wolfe can sell her car and her house, and can collect retirement benefits from when she worked for the school district.
"You don't get court-appointed counsel if you have assets," the judge said.
She told Swauger to submit fees for time he's spent on the case so far so he can be paid, and then relieved him of his appointment. Wolfe was told to immediately hire a lawyer and notify the court within a week who it is.
Kelly Johns, assistant county prosecutor, said Wolfe stole money from the lunch fund by taking $10 and $20 bills that students used to pay for lunch and slipping them into a bag under the table.
Township police said in April that more than $25,000 was taken over 111 days this school year, but Johns said Wolfe has admitted taking only less than $1,000. Wolfe's indictment lists thefts only on March 18-20.
bjackson@vindy.com