Pennsylvania Chief Accepts Plea Deal For Theft
Embattled Wilkes-Barre Township Fire Chief John Yuknavich, facing both state and federal charges that he stole funds from his fire department, has agreed to plead guilty to the federal charges and resign as fire chief. Yuknavich has reportedly also agreed to reimburse the fire company for $45,000, the amount he is believed to have taken.
According to The Citizen’s Voice, state prosecutors have agreed to drop the state charges in lieu of Yuknavich’s plea deal.
The FBI’s web site contains the following:
Yuknavich was responsible for ensuring the deposit of monthly funds received from Wilkes-Barre Township, as well as all other funds received either through charitable contributions or annual state aid received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Yuknavich allegedly deposited only part of the monthly $3500 check received from Wilkes-Barre Township intended to pay fire department bills, and took the remainder of the check in cash, most of which he used for his personal benefit.
Yuknavich is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The plea deal allows him to remain a member of the fire department.
The plea deal allows him to remain a member of the fire department. Just what fire department would want a thief on the job???? Isn’t this guy the same guy that was arrested 17 times?