Michael Pelegreen, the former mayor of Hopedale, pleaded no contest to one count of theft and one count of falsification in Harrison County Court Monday. He was charged with falsifying hours on his timesheet while working part-time at the Cadiz Police Department.

Special Prosecutor Dan Padden said the crime was uncovered after an investigation spanning two years. The judge sentenced Pelegreen to six months on each charge, but suspended all but seven days of the sentence.

Pelegreen was also was forced to pay $4,500 in restitution, and has to forfeit his right to be a police officer in the state of Ohio.

The Harrison County Prosecutor was on the case earlier in the investigation, but turned it over to a special prosecutor because of a perceived conflict of interest.

"We were in a position where it was right to turn it over to investigators regardless of the outcome. And in regards to that, I really have no further comment," said Assistant Harrison County Prosecutor Mike Washington.

The former mayor apologized in court for what he did, and has until April 12 to report to jail to serve his seven day sentence.

Pelegreen is still a township trustee, no word on whether or not he will step down from that position.

John Paul, NEWS9