Staff report
WARREN
Barbara Wesco, a 70-year-old Cortland woman who stole $300,000 over seven years from the Nikolaides Insurance Co. where she worked, has been sentenced to five years’ probation and 60 days house arrest.
Wesco, of Maple Avenue, who worked as a cashier and bookkeeper for the agency, also was ordered to pay back the $300,000, though only at a rate of $100 per month.
Wesco received her sentence Tuesday from Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court after Wesco pleaded guilty to aggravated theft earlier.
Chuck Morrow, an assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, said the prosecution concurred with the recommendation of the Trumbull County Adult Probation Department that Wesco should not go to prison.
In addition to her age, she has no previous criminal record.
She could have received a prison term of up to five years.
Comments
Man. White collar crime. Looks like I need to finish my degree if I ever want to get away with anything.
Matt: I would suggest you know the entire story of this woman and the hell she has endured. Sometimes our system is set up to take a plea because of family illness, or the cost of legal fees in itself. If you knew this woman personally, perhaps you would not be so quick to judge. Personally, I think the one who comitted a crime was the OWNER of the INSURANCE company. Shame on him for sloppy bookkeeping ...................
SLAP ON THE DAMN WRIST, THEY ALWAYS GET OFF EASY THAT'S WHY THEY DO WHAT THEY DO. IT NEVER FAILS
Astro, how do you blame a business owner for an employee's theft? While there may have been lax business practices, that does not condone a crime. And I do support reasonable punishment for a crime. At 70 do I want to support someone who may have chronic illness? Let her collect her SS check, pay the $100. and let Medicare take care of her, with her paying her co-pays. She probably won't be eating steak and lobster on her income.
Astro that is pure bull krap, a thief is a thief..... the hell she has endured LOL wtf kind of cop out is that?
Typical attitude people think they deserve more so they steal. What happend to values and morals.
Maybe you can go dig up some graves with her for some jewelery and gold teeth... pathetic..
Its only money . . .. The time that she can spend at home with her family is precious . . .. Well, $300,000. stolen over seven years is more money per year than what most people make . Add her wages to that and she could live very well . She got a very cool sentence for a high dollar amount of theft . This woman has a lot of political clout indeed .
Astro911:
You dont even realize how ignorant and moronic you sound. SHE endured hell? What about the owner, who almost lost everything because she STOLE from him? I know the owner personally, so I know the true hell HE endured, not your THIEF of a friend. Makes me sick. He committed a crime? You should be careful who you defame on these message boards, you could end up getting sued. His bookkeeping wasnt sloppy, Barbara the THIEF hid things to hide her crimes. If you even read the article, you would notice it said she was the bookkeeper. She was trusted by the owner for years, and he treated her great. This is how she repaid him, she makes me sick, and so do people like you who try to defend her.
Good. I'll have to keep this option in mind should I make it to 70. That's a pretty good rate on a 300 K annuity plan- only a 100 dollar/mo premium? I pay more than that for cable! Age has its privileges. But, maybe a better way would have been to appeal to the owner for a pay increase because of her personal financial straits...or maybe just rob the guy at gunpoint?Well, in five years she'll be off of probation and at 75 can begin a new job search/ career.
astro
You can't be that stupid.
Just evaluating corruption, theft, bribery...and justifcation:
Antonini was reckless @ $3,000
Wesco was reckless @ $300,000
Which is stiffer penalty?
Astro911,
So what's her story? Everyone has a story. I'll bet Scott Kennedy has a story!
We all have problems, big and small. No excuse for stealing, on average, $3500 per month from the company. At $100 per month, she will have it paid off in 25 years.
My guess is that Astro911 would be the type of person that would blame the rape victim also.
"It was her fault ya know, she never should have worn that dress".
Without paying a penny of interest, she'll have the $300K obligation paid-off in 250 Years. Yep, she'll be 320 years-old. I say, she should go to prison for the 250 years. At least in there she won't be able to enjoy her golden years as she pleases. She can knit skull-caps for the death row inmates.