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<p>SCRANTON &#8212; Former Hazle Township Solicitor Charles R. Pedri pleaded guilty Thursday to charges he pilfered more than $105,000 in funds he held in an escrow account.</p><p>Pedri, 64, of Hazleton, pleaded guilty to a single charge of theft from a program receiving federal funds, according to the U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office. He entered the plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehlachick in Scranton and was released subject to conditions of the court.</p><p>Pedri faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine, according to prosecutors. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.</p><p>Pedri, the father of Luzerne County Manager David Pedri, could not be reached for comment Thursday.</p><p>According to prosecutors, Hazle Spindle and the township entered into an agreement in 2013 in which the Massachusetts-based developer paid the township funds that were to be held as security for improvements to the business&#8217;s grounds at the Humboldt Industrial Park.</p><p>Pedri signed off on the agreement as an escrow agent and deposited $105,586 into his law office account, prosecutors allege.</p><p>He then began writing checks to himself drawn from the funds until they were virtually depleted, prosecutors say.</p><p>&#8220;These funds were utilized for Pedri&#8217;s personal benefit and gain, and were not utilized for the benefit of Hazle Township or Hazle Spindle LLC,&#8221; prosecutors said in court filings.</p><p>While spending their money, Pedri hindered Hazle Spindle&#8217;s efforts to learn the status of the funds over the course of several months, culminating with an admission that he spent them himself only after being confronted by the developer with the threat of a lawsuit, prosecutors say.</p><p>Court documents indicate Pedri repaid the funds.</p><p>Pedri was terminated by the township and his law license was suspended by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania last year. The five-year suspension took effect last June.</p><p>According to the board, Pedri was first admitted to the state bar on Oct. 27, 1976.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Dolinsky</p><p>jdolinsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Former Hazle Township solicitor pleads guilty to federal theft charge