(The Center Square) – A former education specialist in southern Ohio will spend four years on probation and repay nearly $16,000 after pleading guilty to theft.

Megan Catalogna, a former intervention specialist for the Educational Service Center Council of Governments in Lawrence County, recently pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft in office after submitting fraudulent timesheets.

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An 18-month prison sentence was deferred unless she violates the terms of her community control. She also agreed to pay $16,707 in restitution and must complete 400 hours of community service.

She can never serve in a position of public employment or public trust again.

State Auditor Keith Faber’s Special Investigation Unit began investigating Catalogna after receiving a complaint alleging she submitted fraudulent timesheets to the council on governments through her position at Tri-State STEM+High School in South Point.

The timesheets allegedly claimed janitorial hours she worked and was paid for, but did not work.

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She was indicted by a Lawrence County grand jury in November.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 131 convictions, resulting in more than $10 million in restitution, according to Faber. The unit receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually.