Former executive admits stealing $218,000 from paper company

WILLIAMSPORT - A former vice president of operations at Nittany Paper Mills Inc. in Lewistown has admitted stealing $218,098 from the business over a nearly two-year period.

Patrick Henry Stewart, 53, of Centre Hall, Monday pleaded guilty in U.S. Middle District Court to a charge of wire fraud. He has agreed to make full restitution.

Stewart admitted using his position with the company between June 2014 and March 2016 to:

Charge personal goods and services to a company credit card.

Make electronic bank transfers from the Nittany checking account at Juniata Valley Bank to pay off a credit card.

Make other electronic transfers totaling approximately $25,000 from a Nittany account to four Juniata Valley Bank accounts he established in the names of his children.

Be paid in increments in 2015 and 2016 unauthorized salary of $32,930 and bonuses of $37,437.

Have off-the-books sales of Nittany Paper Mills inventory to a customer that resulted in direct deposits to his personal accounts at two banks.

Cause Nittany to make numerous payments for personal expenses, have a fraudulent check for $2,471 made out to him and one for $875 to petty cash.