Summary Charles admitted stealing $15,000 in quarters over about five years.
BUFFALO, New York (AP) - A former Buffalo, New York, parking meter mechanic has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for stealing thousands of dollars in quarters while on the job.
Prosecutors say it was James Bagarozzo s idea to rig meters to get at the coins. He stole $210,000 over more than eight years, grabbing fistfuls of coins, storing them in a bag in his truck and then rolling and cashing them in at banks.
Bagarozzo apologized during a brief statement. He blamed a gambling addiction and an illness he believed would kill him.
Bagarozzo pleaded guilty to theft in September, along with a former co-worker, Lawrence Charles. Charles admitted stealing $15,000 in quarters over about five years. He s expected to get six months to a year in prison at his sentencing.
