Juanita Michelle Piechowski
A Lititz woman charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her employer to buy herself a variety of luxury items was sentenced to 7½ to 19 months in prison today in Lancaster County Court.
Juanita Michelle Piechowski wept as Judge Margaret Miller imposed the jail sentence, which is to be followed by 15 years probation. In addition, she is to pay $199,000 restitution, $4,000 in fines and court costs and perform 400 hours of community service.
Miller imposed the stiff sentence, noting that Piechowski's actions not only hurt her former employer, almost putting Creek Hill Nursery in Leola out of business, but also hurt her former co-workers, many of whom lost their jobs because of her actions.
Piechowski, 47, was originally charged in June 2006 by East Lampeter Township Police Detective Scott Eelman with stealing more than $620,812 in company funds from the nursery owner to buy clothing, cars, jewelry and other items. According to court documents, the thefts took place while she was the company office manager.
In March, Piechowski pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery and one count of theft, agreeing to return to business owner Ronald Strasko a number of items she had bought, including an Alfa Romeo sports car. The returns were to bring the restitution owed to just under $200,000.
"It was stuff," Miller said to Piechowski. "Not food, not shelter or necessary medical expenses...stuff."
During the five years she was misappropriating the funds and forging checks, Miller asked Piechowski, "Did you ever pause and think it's not just a crime, it's morally wrong?"
Piechowski did not speak during the proceeding, but she looked back into the spectator section of the courtroom where her family was sitting when the judge announced she would be going to jail.
Defense attorney Christopher Lyden had asked the judge to impose a sentence of probation, telling Miller that Piechowski and the owner of the business had been involved in a romantic relationship and that he was well aware of her purchases, including cosmetic surgery, that they shared ownership of the vehicles and that they went on trips together
Assistant District Attorney Charles Rieck asked for jail time.
The judge agreed: "Just giving back the money sends the wrong message."
Strasko said that in addition to taking money, Piechowski had failed to properly pay his employees' health insurance, taxes and retirement funds, almost sending him and his business into bankruptcy.
Strasko said Piechowski's "callous disregard" for him forced him to dismiss half of his employees, remortgage his home, borrow money from his mother and others to make up for the missing funds and rebuild his business.
Not only did he lose valuable employees, Strasko said, but he also lost customers who thought the business wouldn't survive.
Now, two years later, Strasko said, his business has begun making a profit again, but it will be years until he repays the debt.
Eelman said in addition to $5,000 breast implants from the Lancaster Cosmetic Center, Piechowski also purchased a 1996 Ford Mustang convertible and a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier as well as the Alfa Romeo with the money.
Among the other assets she will be required to return under the court agreement, Eelman said, are the cars, televisions and stereo equipment.
Eelman said Piechowski deposited numerous checks from the business into her personal bank account but said she had nothing left when he arrested her.
Creek Hill Nursery has locations in Leola, Manheim, Bird-in-Hand and Upper Leacock Township. The company grows and sells perennial plants to other businesses.
Staff writer Janet Kelley can be reached at jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026.
