Ex-sheriff's employees resolve payroll cases with pleas

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) — Three former civilian employees of the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office, who allegedly were compensated for work they didn't perform, have resolved their cases with pleas.

Susan Graves and Steven Mock both pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of criminal conversion during hearings on Thursday. They admitted they claimed hours they didn't actually work. Their sentences were suspended and they were ordered to pay restitution.

Mary Letherman pleaded guilty in a similar agreement in April and was ordered to pay restitution.

They were indicted last year . The Elkhart County sheriff told Indiana State Police that at least 2,500 hours of work and about $45,000 in compensation had been falsely claimed and paid between 2014 and 2017. All three were fired from their jobs with the sheriff's department  as allegations were investigated.