PITTSBURGH,None — A former government worker and four other people have pleaded guilty to reduced theft-related charges for rigging automobile auctions at Pittsburgh's tow pound.
Police said Michael Livingstone, 37, a performance auditor for the city controller, worked with people who would place high bids for vehicles, but then pay less after he falsified records.
Police said Livingstone defrauded the city out of nearly $18,000 in the 22 auctions involved in 2008.
Livingstone apologized Tuesday and his attorney claimed the man had disabilities that made it easier for the others to persuade him to go along with the scam. Police said the conspiracy began with an honest mistake when Livingstone accidentally recorded the wrong bidding price, and was thanked by one of his eventual co-defendants who saved money as a result.
Livingstone was sentenced to a year's probation. The buyers received sentences ranging from probation to fines.
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