Judge gives man chance to repay

YOUNGSTOWN -- Joseph Lesniewski of Boardman will have a chance to repay the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation more than $95,000.
Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court put Lesniewski, 56, of Spring Garden Court, on five years' probation Thursday. Lesniewski was in court for his sentencing for workers' compensation fraud. He pleaded guilty to the charge in November.
An investigation showed that from Feb. 12, 2000, to April 20, 2003, Lesniewski defrauded the BWC and received $97,457 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
The judge ordered Lesniewski be put on a payment plan and start paying $100 a month beginning in March until the debt is repaid. He faces 18 months in prison if he violates his probation by failing to make payments.