SCHOOL THEFT Former cafeteria worker seeks to withdraw plea

The former lunch aide is still on probation.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A former cafeteria worker who pleaded guilty last year to stealing lunch money from an Austintown school where she worked now says she wants to scrap that plea.
Terri L. Wolfe, 44, of North Navarre Avenue, Austintown, pleaded guilty Oct. 10, 2003, to one count of theft in office. In December, Judge Maureen A. Cronin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Wolfe to 10 days in the county jail, then placed her on probation for two years.
Atty. Martin E. Yavorcik filed documents Monday in common pleas court asking that Wolfe be permitted to vacate her plea. The document does not give a reason for the request, and Yavorcik was not available to comment.
Yavorcik also asks Judge Cronin to appoint him to represent Wolfe at taxpayers' expense because she can't afford a lawyer. Under Ohio law, the state is required to provide legal counsel for criminal defendants who can't afford to pay a lawyer themselves.
Wolfe had worked as a cafeteria aide at Frank Ohl Middle School in Austintown from 1997 until she resigned in April 2003. Authorities said she stole money from the school by taking $10 and $20 bills pupils used to pay for lunch and slipping them into a bag under the table. The thefts happened between September 2002 and March 2003.
School officials estimated the loss at more than $25,000, but prosecutors said Wolfe admitted taking less than $1,000.
Also charged
A second employee at the school also faces criminal charges for stealing money from the school.
Rosemary Hudak, 50, of Collingwood Place, was indicted by a county grand jury two weeks ago for one felony count of theft in office. She had served as treasurer of the school, resigning in February.
Austintown Township police have estimated Hudak took about $10,000. She was scheduled to be arraigned today in common pleas court.
Police have said Hudak confessed taking about $50 daily between December 2003 and Feb. 5. She also is accused of taking some money collected at school athletic events. Police said the thefts began shortly after Wolfe was sentenced.
As treasurer, Hudak had worked with school officials to determine how much money Wolfe had stolen.
bjackson@vindy.com