WILLIAMSPORT - A Coal Township man was sentenced to a year of probation on a charge of failing to report income to a retirement board.
In a hearing Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Paul J. Orner was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle III, to not only the probation term, but also to pay a fine totaling $3,372.
In a plea deal reached Aug. 26, Orner admitted he "willfully and knowingly" failed to report and provide information to the Railroad Retirement Board that he was employed and earning funds at Q-Stix Pool and Game Room, Independence Street, while he was receiving disability payments, thereby resulting in his receipt of disability overpayments.
In exchange for the guilty plea, the district court will not bring any other criminal charges against Orner that directly arise out of his involvement with the offenses. He waived his right to a jury trial.
As part of the plea, Orner agreed to fully disclose all his assets, including those held by a spouse or other third party. After analyzing his assets, the court assessed the amount of the fine and said that a special assessment of $25 was due immediately, and the balance of the fine, $3,347, must be paid within 10 months.
The amount Orner received in overpayments was not revealed.
The plea agreement was signed by Orner and his attorney, Ronald C. Travis, July 12, and prosecuting assisting U.S. attorney Wayne P. Samuelson July 22.