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Lititz woman sentenced
By Lititz Record
Lititz Record Express
Published: Jul 17, 2008 2:15 PM EST
Lititz -
A Lititz woman charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her
employer over five years was sentenced July 8 to 7½ to 19 months in
prison.
The Lancaster Intelligencer Journal reported last week that
Juanita Michelle Piechowski was ordered to pay $199,000 restitution, $4,000
in fines and court costs and perform 400 hours of community
service.
Piechowski, 47, initially was charged with stealing more
than $620,800 while working as an office manager for Creek Hill Nursery.
She used the funds to buy clothing, cars, jewelry and other items,
according to court documents.
In March, Piechowski pleaded guilty to
three counts of forgery and one count of theft, for a loss of just under
$200,000. She agreed to return a number of items she had bought, including
an Alfa Romeo sports car, to business owner Ronald Strasko.
Defense
attorney Christopher Lyden had asked the judge to impose a sentence of
probation. He said Piechowski and Strasko had been involved in a romantic
relationship and that Strasko was well aware of her purchases, that they
shared ownership of the vehicles and that they went on trips
together
Strasko said that in addition to taking money, Piechowski
had failed to properly fund his employees' health insurance, taxes and
retirement accounts, almost sending him and his business into
bankruptcy.
Creek Hill Nursery has locations in Leola, Manheim,
Bird-in-Hand and Upper Leacock Township. The company grows and sells
perennial plants.
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