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Ex-councilman in Pa. pleads guilty to $400K theft

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SCRANTON (AP) – A former borough councilman in northeastern Pennsylvania has admitted to stealing nearly $400,000 from the local volunteer fire department where he had served as president.

Thirty-seven-year-old Bill Sweeney pleaded guilty Monday in Lackawanna County to theft and forgery charges.

The former Moosic borough councilman and former president of Greenwood Hose Company 1 admitted forging fire company checks from September 2006 to January 2013.

Sweeney says it all stems from a gambling addiction. He is currently in treatment.

A judge told Sweeney to expect jail time when he’s sentenced in a few months. He could face up to 14 years in prison.

He handed over a check for more than $100,000 in restitution Monday.

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