By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Instead of receiving welfare benefits, three people will begin the process of paying them back after entering guilty pleas to felony welfare fraud Thursday.
The trio includes a father and son from Galion, 64-year-old Gary Strickler and 40-year-old Kevin Strickler, and a Bucyrus woman, 32-year-old April Price.
Price and Kevin Strickler were each placed on the diversion program for an initial period of two years and can avoid a felony conviction if they successfully complete the program which includes restitution. Price must pay back $4,000 to Jobs and Family Services awhile Kevin Strickler must pay back $3,500.
Gary Strickler was convicted of the charge and was placed on community control for three years, fined $750 and must pay restitution to Jobs and Family Services in the amount of $3,500.