Former St. Francois County commissioner pleads guilty to theft

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- A former St. Francois County Commissioner admits that he stole equipment from the county and had county employees do work for his benefit.

Attorney General Chris Koster announced Wednesday that Ronald Varvera of Fredericktown entered the guilty plea to felony stealing charges. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Varvera took tires, gravel, gasoline, water tanks and a wood-burning stove from the county, and had county workers use county equipment to do work for his benefit. He also admitted to being falsely reimbursed for mileage.

The exact value of the thefts was not released.

Koster says the sentence will be reviewed after 120 days and Varvera may be released on probation. If he is released, Varvera will be required to pay restitution to the county.