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Woman sentenced in dealership theft
Staff writer
ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com
A Chartiers Township woman will spend 18 to 36 months in a state penitentiary after stealing $439,806 from a Houston car dealership.
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Piasente also was placed on a consecutive three years of state probation and ordered to pay Arnold Pontiac GMC full restitution.
On Sept. 25, Piasente entered guilty pleas to theft by failure to make required disposition, unlawful use of a computer and securing execution of documents by deception.
Before sentencing, dealership owner Robert Arnold told the judge that Piasente had been an employee of the family dealership for 27 years.
He was unaware of the financial problems until Nov. 2, 2006, when a representative of General Motors Acceptance Corp. attempted to pick up a check to cover rejected funds. Arnold hired an accountant and discovered the missing money.
When confronted, Piasente admitted taking the money to fund her children's debts and to finance her gambling addiction. The thefts occurred between 2002 and 2006.
Arnold told the judge the loss of money negatively impacted his family and personal life, reduced raises and health-care improvements for his 25 other employees and limited his ability to contribute to local charities.
He said the future of the dealership, which has been in business since 1916, is in question.
Piasente, her voice breaking, apologized to Arnold and his family, as well as her family.
"I'm ready to accept responsibility of what I have done," Piasente said.
Moschetta Bell said she based her decision for a state sentence, rather than a county sentence with work release as requested by Piasente's attorney Christopher Blackwell, on several factors.
"A theft of almost a half-million dollars can't be treated lightly," Moschetta Bell said.
Piasente said she used some of the stolen money to help her children financially. The judge replied that while Piasente's children benefited from the stolen money, Arnold is unable to help his children and grandchildren as he had to use personal money to keep the business operating.
Piasente showed no outward emotion when sentenced. She is to report to jail Dec. 28 to allow time to arrange for a home equity loan and to complete paperwork to transfer her pension to Arnold.
She also is to have a gambling addiction evaluation and treatment.
Washington County Assistant District Attorney Ben Ciocco did not comment.
Blackwell was surprised by the lengthy sentence.
"This was a first offense and no prior (criminal) record and a nonviolent offense," Blackwell said. "I believe the judge was most influenced by the money involved."
At the end of her statement, Piasente turned to Arnold and several members of his family in the courtroom and said, "Please forgive me and remember me in your prayers."
