(The Center Square) – A former education specialist in southern Ohio will spend four years on probation and repay nearly $16,000 after pleading guilty to theft.
Megan Catalogna, a former intervention specialist for the Educational Service Center Council of Governments in Lawrence County, recently pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft in office after submitting fraudulent timesheets.
An 18-month prison sentence was deferred unless she violates the terms of her community control. She also agreed to pay $16,707 in restitution and must complete 400 hours of community service.
She can never serve in a position of public employment or public trust again.
State Auditor Keith Faber’s Special Investigation Unit began investigating Catalogna after receiving a complaint alleging she submitted fraudulent timesheets to the council on governments through her position at Tri-State STEM+High School in South Point.
The timesheets allegedly claimed janitorial hours she worked and was paid for, but did not work.
She was indicted by a Lawrence County grand jury in November.
Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 131 convictions, resulting in more than $10 million in restitution, according to Faber. The unit receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually.
