Canfield woman gets probation for stealing from local churches

YOUNGSTOWN — A Canfield woman has been sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to make $25,000 in restitution during that time for stealing from two local Roman Catholic churches, where she had been employed.

Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court today imposed the sentence on Linda D. Messing, 49, of Russo Drive, who pleaded guilty in February to a bill of information charging her with a pair of fourth-degree felony theft counts.

Messing admitted stealing the money from St. Christine Church in Youngstown and St. Michael’s Church in Canfield.

The judge fined Messing $5,000 on each count, but he suspended all but $500 of each fine, and he made her combined $1,000 payment due within one year.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com