Warren Twp. cheerleading group to get some money back

A Warren Township cheerleading group will get back nearly $26,000 that was stolen by an ex-treasurer, according to a deal finalized Tuesday in Lake County circuit court.

The amount is slightly less than the $30,000 the Warren Cheer and Pom Program claimed Mary Lou Puccio embezzled over a two-year period, but much more than the $8,000 she claimed she had taken.

In return for her promise to repay the money, Puccio will be assured the group will not pursue a lawsuit against her for any additional amount, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said.

"We have consulted with officials of the program and they have joined us in accepting this as an equitable settlement," Bishop said.

"Our major concern was getting as much money back to the program as we could, so as to reduce further sacrifice on the current participants."

Puccio, 47, of 1421 W. Lawn Ave., Warren Township, pleaded guilty in November to felony theft and admitted stealing the money between 2004 and 2006.

She was placed on probation for 30 months and ordered to write a letter of apology for what she had done to the group.

The amount of money stolen remained in dispute until Tuesday, when Circuit Judge John Phillips approved a resolution of $25,925.

Bishop said Puccio will immediately pay back $2,500 and is required to repay the balance before her probationary period ends.

If the money is not repaid, Bishop said, Puccio will be liable to be found in violation of her probation and could face as much as seven years in prison.

Charles Smith, an attorney for the group that provided cheerleading coaching, training and the opportunity to compete against other cheerleading groups across the country, told Phillips he was satisfied with the settlement.

Smith said close to 300 girls between the ages of 5 to 14 participated in the program last year.