Ex-Fayette County Sewer Authority Head Guilty In $141K Theft

The former executive director of a western Pennsylvania sewer authority has pleaded guilty to charges he stole $141,000 from the agency, though the amount he'll have to repay remains a matter of dispute.

Carl Paul Lewis, 54, of Ellwood City, pleaded guilty Thursday to theft charges and has agreed to a one- to two-year prison sentence.

A hearing must still be held to determine how much Lewis must repay, because he disagrees with Fayette County prosecutors over the amount. A judge must still determine how much Lewis will repay.

Prosecutors said he made unauthorized payroll disbursements and took cash from customers paying bills to the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority between 2005 and 2007.