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Change in restitution payments to be considered for former Elks manager

LISBON — The former manager of the Wellsville Elks Lodge who embezzled $27,055 from the club has failed to make all of the required monthly restitution payments.

Although Karenna L. Harty, 52, Main Street, Wellsville, is in violation of her probation after falling behind on her restitution payments, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office — which served as special prosecutor in the case — indicated it was willing to consider lowering the monthly payments to something more affordable.

Harty was sentenced in January 2017 to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to embezzling the money over a four-year period. One of the probation terms required she make restitution payments of at least $1,000 per month until the $27,055 is repaid in full, and violation of probation could result in imposition of a 16-month prison sentence.

According to court documents, Harty has repaid $11,150 to date but last made a $1,000 payment in February after failing to make one in January. This resulted in the special prosecutor filing a motion to determine whether there was probable cause that Harty had violated her probation.

During Friday’s hearing, public defender Coleen Hall Dailey conceded probable cause existed, and Judge Scott Washam scheduled a probation violation hearing for Nov. 16.

Special Prosecutor Allison Archer said it is her understanding Harty has undergone a change of circumstances since the sentencing hearing, and she was open to lowering the restitution payments “to something she can afford.”

Harty’s husband died in September 2017 and officials indicated she is also helping raise other family members.

Dailey said it is not always possible for Harty to pay $1,000 but she could pay $500 and indicated her client would do that until the Nov. 16 probation violation hearing, which is when the issue will be resolved. Dailey said Harty has already been making payments of less than $1,000 some months.

Court records showed that Harty was ordered in December to perform 10 hour of community service for being in a bar, which was a violation of her probation.

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