Pa. supervisors guilty of stealing town's gas, forced to resign

(CBS/AP) NEW CASTLE, Pa. - Two western Pennsylvania officials who lied about all the extra gasoline they had will each got six months probation for stealing the gas.

70-year-old Stewart Michaels and 49-year-old R. Scott Mitcheltree both resigned as supervisors and roadmasters in Hickory Township, after pleading guilty to the gas theft.

Police Chief Mike Vitale tells the New Castle News that Michaels and Micheltree told people that free gasoline was a perk of their jobs.

It wasn't.

The pair pleaded guilty Monday and must each pay $200 restitution in addition to their probation. An audit showed about 1,600 gallons of gas missing last year from a supply meant only to fuel township-owned vehicles.

As supervisors, each made $1,875 per year, plus $31,000 and benefits for being roadmasters who maintained the township's highways.

Michaels had been a supervisor in the township near New Castle for 19 years. Mitcheltree had been on the job 12 years.

It was a gas while it lasted.