Ex-county worker sentenced

The woman has repaid the stolen money.

WARREN — A former county clerk of courts employee tearfully apologized for stealing $5,314 in public money early this year before getting a 10-day jail sentence and four years of probation.

Stella Coletti, 36, of Deer Creek Trail, Cortland, said her 10-year-old son comes home crying because other kids have ridiculed him over news accounts of her misdeeds. The mother of four has paid the money back.

“I’ve destroyed my life forever. I’ve lost a great job, my life,” she said, adding that she feels especially bad for having disappointed her parents and husband, who all came to the United States as young adults “with nothing.” Her parents taught her to work hard, but she has “disappointed and shamed” them, she said.

Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor, said the prosecutor’s office continues its “long-standing policy” of seeking jail time for any public employee convicted of theft. Becker said later the same type of theft case for someone who is not a public employee would probably not produce any jail time.

Judge John M. Stuard of Common Pleas Court noted that Coletti had no previous criminal record and said he believed she would not commit future crimes. She will report to jail sometime after Jan. 1. If she violates her probation, she could go to prison for four years.

“I suspect any punishment I have given you is not as severe as what you have already gotten,” Judge Stuard said.

He also ordered Coletti to perform 100 hours of community service.

A bank contacted the Clerk of Courts, Auto Title Division, on July 11 to report that a bank customer had not received an auto title for a check that had already cleared. Clerk of Courts Karen Infante Allen determined that there was no paperwork at the title office corresponding with the check.

Further investigation showed that the check had been deposited on a day when Coletti, a 17-year employee, had been serving as acting bookkeeper in place of one who was on sick leave.

Other paperwork was discovered showing Coletti was responsible for various other discrepancies since Feb. 26, 2007, involving sales tax and title fees, an affidavit said.

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