Theft auction could net more than $100,000

YOUNGSTOWN — An assistant Mahoning County prosecutor said he expects a Saturday auction of big ticket items will help make restitution to a dialysis clinic, whose former bookkeper allegedly embezzled almost $1.7 million.

“This is the only way you can actually look the victims in the eye and say that you did the best you could,” said Kenneth Cardinal, assistant Mahoning County prosecutor.

The former bookkeeper, Deborah L. Toda, 49, of Howland, was charged with aggravated grand theft in the disappearance of the money from the North Central Pennsylvania Dialysis Clinic and forgery of $100,000 or more in checks drawn on the clinic’s account. Toda worked at the clinic’s Boardman administrative office. She and her husband, Paul G. Pollis, 40, were charged with money laundering and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Toda is scheduled to plead guilty at 9 a.m. Jan. 30 before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Pollis’ case is pending. Vehicles, jewelry and other valuables were seized from the couple’s residence under a search warrant last June.

The forfeiture auction, ordered by County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Basinger Auction Service, 100 Eastgate Drive, North Lima, with a preview from 5 to 7 p.m. today.Friday Cardinal predicted Saturday’s session will likely exceed $100,000 in sales.

Among the items that will be for sale are a $78,000 diamond ring, a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Golden Eagle, a 2005 Ford Mustang, a 1986 Jaguar, a 2004 Honda motorcycle with only 25 miles, a pontoon boat, Arctic Cat ATVs and Rolex watches.