Ex-parking head accused of stealing from Pa. city

[February 06, 2009]  NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) -- A former parking official in a financially troubled Pennsylvania city is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from parking meters.

Gary Stone Jr. was laid off last year as head of New Castle's parking authority. He was arraigned Thursday on theft charges.

County officials say the 33-year-old New Castle resident reported that the meters collected $342 for all of 2006 and 2007. When police took over the meter collections for the first time last year, they took in more than $54,000.

Stone's home telephone is unlisted and he has not returned a message left with relatives.

New Castle was declared financially distressed last year under a state law designed to help struggling communities. The declaration led to Stone's layoff.

[Associated Press]

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