Probation, restitution and possible jail for Roller on theft convictions

YOUNGSTOWN

Richard A. Roller, the former director of the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership, today was sentenced to 120 days in Mahoning County jail, with jail time stayed pending his appeal, on charges of theft in office and grand theft.

Roller also is sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $14,000 restitution. Roller presented the restitution check today to the court.

Roller, 51, of Colonial Drive, Liberty, drew the sentence from visiting Judge Paul Mitrovich of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

A jury convicted Roller of the theft in office and grand theft charges on May 13, but it acquitted him of having an unlawful interest in a public contract.

Roller was placed on unpaid administrative leave in April 2010, and the MYCAP board fired him the following month in the wake of the Ohio Department of Development’s investigation into whether the nonprofit organization misappropriated funds and resources while he led it.

In the October 2012 indictment, Roller was charged with using his office to steal $7,500 or more from the state between June 19 and July 13, 2009.

The bill of particulars accused Roller of deceptively obtaining $14,000 in consulting fees and $3,400 in equipment rental fees from the state during that period.

The Youngstown-based MYCAP administers programs that help poor and disadvantaged county residents.

Its programs range from the Home Weatherization Assistance Program to the Community Service Block Grant.

Roller directed the agency for about 10 years.

The case was prosecuted by special prosecutors from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.