Official pleads guilty to theft

Assoicated Press

CANTON

A former county official in Northeast Ohio has pleaded guilty to federal charges accusing him of stealing nearly $2.5 million from a treasurer’s office.

Stark County’s former chief deputy treasurer, Vince Frustaci, says he’s deeply sorry for breaking the people’s trust. He says he stole the money and gambled it away.

The $2.5 million came from public funds collected by the county from taxpayers.

Frustaci pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft Friday in U.S. District Court in Cleveland.

He faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced Sept. 9. Frustaci was fired last year after state Auditor Mary Taylor says he admitted to the theft.

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