Former Mount Carmerl worker gets a year in prison for church thefts

WARREN

Former Niles sewer-maintenance worker Michael Marrara, who stole $97,000 while working as maintenance supervisor for Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, said he was “really sorry” for the thefts.

But Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court said Wednesday Marrara “shows no remorse” for the crime and has a previous felony conviction, so he’s going to prison for a year.

Marrara, 59, of Sayers Avenue, Niles, was handcuffed in preparation for going immediately to prison. He pleaded guilty earlier to grand theft and could have gotten up to 18 months in prison.

“I’m really sorry it happened. I want it to go away. I want to get it over with,” Marrara told Judge McKay before sentencing.

The judge also ordered Marrara to pay back the $97,000 he took from the church between 2007 and 2014 while working as maintenance supervisor for the church.

The Rev. John-Michael Lavelle said in early 2014 he discovered within the first two weeks of his arrival at the parish in June 2012 that Marrara purchased about $22 worth of pool chemicals on the church credit card, even though the church doesn’t have a pool.

Read more about the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.