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2nd suspect in theft at Covelli to be arraigned
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
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Kathy Lewis
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Mark P. Daigle
The former office manager of the Covelli Centre’s food and drink vendor was to be arraigned today on a felony-theft charge accusing her of being involved in an embezzlement scheme.
The Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Unit arrested Kathy Lewis, 40, at her Karl Street home in Youngstown at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. She also is known as Mary K. Lewis.
Lewis is the ex-office manager for Centerplate, the center’s drink and food vendor that was formerly known as Boston Culinary.
She also is the supposed victim in a Jan. 26 robbery in which about $90,000 was stolen from the company at the arena.
Police and center officials said at the time of the robbery that they suspected it was an “inside job.”
Mark P. Daigle, Centerplate’s former general manager at the center, was arraigned Friday on a felony-theft charge in connection with embezzlement.
Daigle, 38, of Steeplechase Drive, Canfield, was to appear at 11 a.m. today in Youngstown Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing.
Lewis was to be arraigned at 10 a.m. today.
Police haven’t charged Lewis or Daigle in the robbery.
But police say additional charges could be filed against the two.
Police are investigating whether a robbery, in which about $90,000 was taken, was staged to cover up the embezzlement, according to those familiar with the investigation.
Lewis and Daigle embezzled the money between Dec. 7, 2007, and March 18, 2010, according to their police warrants.
Information about the embezzlement was found, police say, when officers investigated the robbery.
Centerplate, based in Stamford, Conn., was notified of the embezzlement and conducted an audit.
Bob Pascal, Centerplate’s corporate vice president of marketing and sales, could not be reached Tuesday by The Vindicator to comment.
Centerplate fired Lewis and Daigle, police said.