HARRISBURG― Washington County’s former clerk of courts pleaded guilty today to stealing more than $96,000 from taxpayers and will serve 24 months on Home Electronic Monitoring and 7 years of probation, and pay more than $100,000, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced this afternoon.

Frank Scandale pleaded guilty to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Theft by Unlawful Taking, and Misapplication of Entrusted Property and Property of Government or Financial Institutions before Senior Visiting Fayette County Judge Gerald Solomon.

“Mr. Scandale broke the law and the oath he took on behalf of the people of Washington County when he stole nearly $100,000 from the public,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said today. “As a public official, Mr. Scandale had a duty to serve with integrity, and instead he admitted in court to violating the public’s trust. My office will continue to root out public corruption without fear or favor so we can have faith in the people who serve us.”

Scandale frequently accepted cash payments from individuals, provided receipts, and then voided either the total amount – or significant portions – of the deposits. County audits revealed 24 deposits that should have been deposited into Washington County’s bank account were used by Scandale for his own purposes. The total of the missing deposits was $96,716.04.

Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry prosecuted this case.