Judge in federal court

CLEVELAND

Suspended Mahoning County Area Court Judge Diane Vettori-Caraballo appeared in federal court Wednesday for a pretrial hearing on charges relating to the theft of at least $100,000 from the estate of her deceased client.

Vettori-Caraballo, 50, of Canfield, accepted, then later rejected, a plea agreement to initial charges relating to the theft earlier this year, and did so again Wednesday. A jury trial is set for March 4.

Mahoning County Probate Court records show she has also filed a motion to settle a civil suit alleging she concealed more than $300,000 from that estate. That hearing is set for Tuesday.