Ex-official apologizes for theft of $41,000
Marchewka stole from Cheektowaga
Paul J. Marchewka took several deep breaths to gain his composure Tuesday morning before he apologized for stealing more than $41,000 from the Town of Cheektowaga.
“I had 14 wonderful years there,” he said of his employment as a town recreation supervisor before he was forced to resign in disgrace. There were tears in his eyes, and his voice was shaky as he gave his statement.
Erie County Judge Thomas P. Franczyk sentenced Marchewka to serve two days a week in jail for the next four months and ordered him to pay back the money that should have gone to the town for recreation fees. He already has paid back $16,160. He also was given five years’ probation and ordered to stay away from the town ice rink.
The Cheektowaga husband and father of two sons said he was sorry; his lawyer said he was ashamed.
“It hurts. I should have never done it. I’m not making any excuses. It was wrong,” Marchewka said at his sentencing.
He admitted that he let down his family, friends and co-workers by his actions, which came to light last summer.
He resigned under pressure late last August after investigators uncovered a disproportionate number of cash transactions involving town residents enrolled in recreational programs. He had supervised the town’s hockey, softball, volleyball and soccer leagues.
Ellen Fischer, executive director of youth and recreational services, said she was Marchewka’s co-worker for 13 years, before she assumed her current post.
“We are feeling angry and betrayed. We feel hurt by his actions,” she said of herself and department employees.
She said Marchewka put the department and its reputation at risk.
“We spent the last year doing damage control,” she said. “There are a lot of people who considered Paul not only a coworker but a friend. We’re very betrayed.”
Marchewka addressed Fischer by name during his statement.
“Ellen, I’m sorry. You do a wonderful job,” he told her.
Marchewka, 40, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny in December. He has been working three jobs since he left the town to make money to pay restitution, said his lawyer, Paul Dell.
Dell said that his client is in counseling and that every day since his arrest has been a struggle.
“He engaged in this criminal behavior to pay his bills,” he said.
The judge said the case was difficult to figure out, because Marchewka did not appear to be addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling, and he was a vital, well-respected member of the community before committing his first crime.
“In some respects, it doesn’t add up,” Franczyk said. “Most people seem to get by without dipping into the public till.”
Marchewka pleaded guilty to taking $41,300 from June 1, 2003, through Aug. 1, 2008. But Cheektowaga Detective Christopher Chojnacki said it is believed he took more money.
“The small amount we were able to prove is a small fraction . . . of what went on,” he said.
Prosecutor Stephen J. DiLorenzo praised Chojnacki, Detective Joe Bauman and Capt. David Zack for sifting through records and tracking the money in the case.
“It’s easy to stand up here as an assistant district attorney and take the credit,” he said. “My success in the courtroom is dependent on the work that went into the file.”
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