CLEARFIELD – The former Children Youth and Family Services Director for Clearfield County, Lisa Dohner, was sentenced on Friday.
Dohner was found guilty by a jury in August on 18 counts of tampering with public records or information, five counts each of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and conflict of interest. In addition, she has been charged with three counts of criminal attempt and one count of forgery. Her charges stemmed from incidents during her employment at CYFS from 2003 to 2006. At the time of the incidents, she served as the director of CYFS. She was terminated in March 2006.
In each instance of tampering with public records, the jury had to decide whether Dohner acted with the intent to defraud, and in each instance, they found that she did.
Prior to sentencting Dohner’s attorney, Lance Marshall, stated that a probationary sentence would be appropriate. He said the criminal conduct did not cause or threaten harm.
“She was convicted of stealing $500,” stated Marshall. “Not a significant amount to the government.”
He added that she was always willing to repay the funds.
Dohner also spoke, asking the judge to take into account her husband, who was is dealing with prostate cancer, and her two children, one of which they drove to work. When asked by Mifflin County President Judge Timothy S. Searer asked Dohner if she wished to add anything regarding her sentencing or case. She did not.
Deputy Attorney General Michael Sprow stated that while the amount of money may seem insignificant, it was her position as a county employee that differentiates this case from a normal theft. He also said that a probationary sentence was at the bottom range of the sentencing scale.
“This defendant, through the course of this case, has never accepted responsibility for her actions,” added Sprow. He stated that she failed to show remorse or responsibility.
Before announcing his sentencing order, Searer touched on some of the points of the case.
“Miss Dohner, you were employed by Clearfield County … the people of Clearfield County. They’re the ones paying taxes … your salary.”
He stated that total confinement was not necessary in her case, as she is not a violent person. He also noted her age, employment history, schooling and lack of a criminal record.
Searer stated that while she was found guilty of 25 counts, some of them would merge for sentencing purposes. He also said the court could not and would not order restitution for the “Jeans Money” fund.
Searer then sentenced Dohner to 30 months of probation, the first three of will consist of house arrest with electronic monitoring. She was ordered to pay restitution for a lab user fee in the amount of $2,066, pay $1,900 in fines and pay restitution to Clearfield County in the amount of $523.83. Dohner’s probation will be handled by the state.
Dohner was also sentenced to 525 hours of community service, a little over one hour for each dollar she was ordered to pay back to the county. The judge stated that he would prefer Dohner perform her community service at the organizations she forged cards for in her case, but that it would require those organizations’ consent. He also took into consideration her church involvement, and noted that any community service she’s currently involved with will not count toward those hours.