Crime & Safety

Mentor Couple Admits to Roles in Scheme to Embezzle $285,000

Russell and Gina Whitman will be sentenced in Lake County Court of Common Pleas

A husband-and-wife team from Mentor have both admitted to their roles in a scheme to embezzle $285,000 from a company in Eastlake.

Eastlake police say Gina and Russell Whitman while Gina worked there.

Gina's brother owns Premier Paints. In fear he would discover the thefts, the Whitmans staged a break-in in 2010, according to police. They took the company's lockbox to hide how much they had stolen.

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Russell Whitman pleaded guilty to aggravated theft Thursday in Lake County Court of Common Pleas. When Judge Eugene Lucci sentences him, he could face between one and five years in prison.

Gina Whitman pleaded guilty to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity on July 6. When she is sentenced Aug. 25, she will face between three and 10 years in prison.

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When police initially confronted Gina Whitman about the break-in in 2010, she admitted to her and her husband's plan. However, after confessing but before police arrested and charged them, the Whitmans went on the lam, police said.

Eastlake Police had warrants for their arrest, but the Whitmans remained on the loose until Mentor Police .


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