MONROE - An Albany man was sentenced to five years probation and one year in jail with work release privileges after he pleaded no contest to theft Tuesday in Green County Circuit Court.
Gilbert M. Pekul, 55, pleaded no contest to theft, a class G felony. He faced up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Court records indicate Pekul was hired by eight people to build farm equipment for them, and received about $123,000 for his services. He became involved with an overseas scam and lost several thousand dollars. He tried to use the money from his customers to locate the people who took money from him. In the process, the investigators Pekul hired to find the people who took his money also were part of a scam.
He told the court he was sorry for his actions.
Pekul was ordered to pay 25 percent of his wages during probation to repay the eight customers. After his probation, the court can garnish his wages to help continue to pay the victims.
- Brian Gray
Gilbert M. Pekul, 55, pleaded no contest to theft, a class G felony. He faced up to 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.
Court records indicate Pekul was hired by eight people to build farm equipment for them, and received about $123,000 for his services. He became involved with an overseas scam and lost several thousand dollars. He tried to use the money from his customers to locate the people who took money from him. In the process, the investigators Pekul hired to find the people who took his money also were part of a scam.
He told the court he was sorry for his actions.
Pekul was ordered to pay 25 percent of his wages during probation to repay the eight customers. After his probation, the court can garnish his wages to help continue to pay the victims.
- Brian Gray