CLEARFIELD – A Curwensville man pleaded guilty Monday for his part in a scheme to take money from a local business.
Richard Lee Gearhart, 45, was said to be the mastermind behind the idea, which involved Jessica Lee Dunworth, 43, of Clearfield, who was employed by Novey Recycling in Clearfield.
The plan involved forging slips for scrap metal being brought to the facility by Gearhart, Damian Goho, 40, of Clearfield and Jerry Goho, 20, of Clearfield, for allegedly more money than their items were worth.
The total amount taken is estimated to be $2,174.70.
During colloquy court on Monday, a representative of Novey Recycling was on-hand to explain that these thefts not only impacted their employees, but the community as well since they made donations to charities based on their profits.
He asked President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to send Gearhart to state prison.
Gearhart himself addressed the court saying “I’m sorry for what I did.”
Ammerman responded to this with: “Saying you are sorry is one thing. Not doing any more criminal activity is another.”
He then alluded to Gearhart’s criminal record, stating that he hated to say anyone is a career criminal, but Gearhart fit that description.
Ammerman sentenced him to serve 11 months to four years in state prison for one felony count of conspiracy/theft by deception
Gearhart must pay restitution of $543.68 to Novey’s.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, in September 2022 the owner contacted police to report an employee was altering the pay slips so “her friends” received more money than expected.
The owner noticed a large amount of money being taken out every time specific people brought anything into the business. He identified them as Gearhart and the Goho’s.
After reviewing security footage, he determined that it was Dunworth, who was altering the slips.
He was able to provide police with receipts from seven different occasions. The receipts were checked with the time stamped security footage in which the owner could see that there were more items listed for recycling on the receipts than the men were actually dropping off.
During one of the transactions, the slip showed tin, lead, copper pipe and copper wire but in the video the Goho’s had only brought in some tin and lead. They were paid almost $400 for the additional items.
The other slips were reportedly altered in a similar manner adding high-cost items that did not exist.
When the owner spoke with Dunworth, she admitted she “was involved in a conspiracy with writing slips that were over” what was supplied and apologized.
Photos and receipts provided to police showed the items at the weigh station, which did not match what was listed on the receipts.
In the photos, they could also see Gearhart at the weighing station talking to Dunworth.
On Sept. 27, 2022, Dunworth was interviewed by police.
She explained that this was all Gearhart’s idea after he discovered she was working at Novey’s.
Initially, she was told she would get part of the money, but she never got any.
The “scheme” was reportedly that Gearhart would come up to Dunworth and ask her to put extra material on the receipt and the Goho’s collected the money.
She stated she was unaware how much was actually stolen.
In a written statement, Dunworth says Gearhart asked her to “help him out.” She said no at first but he kept asking so she did it.
He wouldn’t answer her calls afterwards so she never received any money.
She reportedly apologized and offered to pay the money back to the business.
Damian and Jerry Goho are each facing a felony count of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Dunworth is charged with only a felony theft count.
All of their cases are pending.
