Hickory Township police Chief Mike Vitale tells the New Castle News that 70-year-old Stewart Michaels and 49-year-old R. Scott Mitcheltree told people that free gasoline was a perk of their jobs. It wasn't.
As supervisors, each made $1,875 per year, plus $31,000 and benefits for being roadmasters who maintained the township's highways.
The men pleaded guilty Monday and must also pay $200 restitution. An audit showed about 1,600 gallons of gas were missing last year from a supply meant only to fuel township-owned vehicles.
Michaels had been s supervisor in the township near New Castle for 19 years. Mitcheltree had been on the job 12 years.
