Woman Accused of Stealing from Restaurant Pleads to Lesser Charge

A former  employee who was accused of taking money from the restaurant pleaded no contest to attempted petty theft today in Mentor Municipal Court.

Mallory Kovatch, 20, of Painesville, was originally charged with grand theft. However, the city prosecutor's office agreed to let her plead no contest to the less-serious charge of attempted petty theft.

Judge John Trebets found Kovatch guilty but did not sentence her today. Instead, he ordered a report be gathered on the case before he decided what punishment would be appropriate. The sentencing hearing is not scheduled yet.

When Kovatch is sentenced, she could receive probation or up to three months in the county jail.

Trebets also ordered that Kovatch pay restitution to Hungry Howie's, but the amount she will have to pay has not been set.

Had she been convicted of grand theft – her original charge – she might have faced up to a year in prison.

Mentor City Prosecutor Lisa Klammer did not return a pair of messages left on her voicemail seeking comment this afternoon.

Kovatch was accused of

Her manager told police that Kovatch had charged a customer full price for their food. Then she credited them with a fake coupon and pocketed the difference, according to police.