BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Former Bucyrus City Councilwoman Carolyn Shireman learned her fate Thursday afternoon in the Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Shireman, 72, entered a no contest plea in February to one count of theft from a person in a protected class, a third-degree felony, and one count of grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. Visiting retired Judge Howard E. Hall presided over the sentencing and found Shireman guilty of both offenses.
Kimberly Kent of the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities described the effects of Shireman’s actions on the victim.
Kent told the court that the victim had to sell his home and had no money to pay for utilities or groceries. The victim has been able to continue to live in the home as a tenant. Kent described the impact Shireman’s actions had on the victim as leaving him emotionally impacted. The victim’s safety and independence were also affected by the theft. Kent noted her client will now have to work beyond the age of 65 to survive.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that Shireman’s victim was honest, determined and hardworking. Hoovler told the court about Shireman’s constant posts on Facebook with one of the most recent posts (two weeks ago) bragging about how she’d spent $5600 on two rings.
Hoovler said that Shireman spent more than $75,000 of the victim’s money on herself. Shireman wrote checks to her family and to her own charity with her victim’s money. Hoovler noted that Shireman has not yet made one payment toward restitution.
Shireman’s attorney, Andrew Motter argued against prison for his client. Noting that with her age she might not survive prison, Motter also told the court that while in prison she would not be able to collect social security her only source of income. He asked the court to place her on community control.
Shireman remained antimated during the proceedings, shaking her head back and forth as if to disagree with what she heard.
When asked if she wanted to say anything to the court, Shireman said, “There’s a lot I would like to say but…”
Unmoved by the defense pleas, Judge Hall sentenced Shireman to 18 months in prison on count one, and nine months on count two. He ran the sentences concurrent for a total of 18 months in prison. Shireman was ordered to pay $35,000 in restitution to her victim.
Hall gave Shireman six days of jail time credit. She will be eligible to apply for judicial release but will remain on post release control for two years upon her release.