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Former business owner to serve probation for theft
YOUNGSTOWN
A former co-owner of an ambulance service will spend several years on probation, perform community service and pay back money stolen from her businesses.
Vanessa Pellin, 56, of Akron-Canfield Road, Ellsworth, previously had pleaded guilty to a single count of theft. She was sentenced Thursday by Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
The court followed a recommendation by Mark Hockensmith, an assistant county prosecutor, for probation for Pellin. Hockensmith said he made the recommendation because she has no prior criminal record, and prosecutors believe her son — Richard M. Pellin Jr. — played the major role in the crimes.
Richard Pellin, 38, of Stoltz Road, Diamond is charged with nine counts of forgery and 10 counts of theft. He is scheduled for a nonjury trial Aug. 25 before Judge Evans.
The Pellins are former owners and operators of Pellin Ambulance Service.
Judge Evans, after a lengthy statement from Vanessa Pellin, ordered the former business owner to serve three years’ reporting probation. She also must make restitution of any stolen funds.
Judge Evans also ordered her to perform 200 hours of community service in Ellsworth Township.
The prosecutor’s office began probing the Pellins’ business dealings at the request of Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, who had been presiding over a civil case in which a bank asked the court to place the assets of Pellin Emergency Services and another company into receivership.
In December 2007, Judge Krichbaum learned that funds may have been diverted from the businesses.
Prosecutors said authorities believe both Pellins diverted money due the businesses to a Pennsylvania bank account, where they were the signators, with the total diversion being about $90,000.
Prosecutors also said Richard Pellin drew checks in the name of his brother and deposited them into his own account without his brother’s knowledge.