The former police chief of the Village of Shawnee Hills was sentenced to one year of probation, a $1,000 fine and ordered to pay restitution to the village for time he spent on the clock but doing another job.

Sean LeFever, 43, of Dublin, was in Common Pleas Court Friday morning to be sentenced on one count of theft in office, a fifth-degree felony, after he entered an Alford plea to the charge at a hearing on June 27.

At that hearing in June, Judge David Gormley clarified that an Alford plea means that LeFever is maintaining his innocence but believes the prosecutor’s evidence is strong enough to convince a jury that he is guilty.

LeFever was originally charged with four counts of theft in office but three of the charges were dismissed as part of plea negotiations with prosecutors. LeFever said in June that he entered the plea to one charge so he can avoid being sentenced on four theft-in-office charges.

After statements from prosecutors and LeFever’s attorney, Samuel Shamansky, LeFever addressed Gormley directly and expressed remorse.

“I wish I could do some things differently,” LeFever said.

After hearing from both sides of the case, Gormley sentenced LeFever to one year of community control, 40 hours of community service and ordered him to pay a $1000 fine. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $3,143.94 in restitution to the village.

At an earlier hearing, Assistant County Prosecutor Andrew Bigler said that while LeFever was working as the police chief of Shawnee Hills he was also working as a contractor for Columbia Gas. Bigler said on one occasion LeFever was directing traffic at an intersection for Columbia while at the same time being compensated by the village.

Bigler also said on another occasion LeFever said he was at a training seminar and was compensated by the village, but never actually attended any training.

LeFever was placed on administrative leave by the village in August 2015 after the investigation began and tendered his resignation on Jan. 16.

Officer Russell Baron has since been promoted to the position of police chief.

Sean LeFever, left, and his attorney, Samuel Shamansky, expressed remorse about the case Friday morning before Judge David Gormley handed down the sentence.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/09/web1_DSC_0543.jpgSean LeFever, left, and his attorney, Samuel Shamansky, expressed remorse about the case Friday morning before Judge David Gormley handed down the sentence.