Published: June 16, 2009 11:22 pm         

Commissioner gets one year probation

Sullivan — A former Sullivan County commissioner has pleaded guilty to official misconduct and will serve one year on probation.

Carter Phegley’s plea agreement was accepted Friday by Sullivan Circuit Court Judge P.J. Pierson.

An Indiana State Police investigation found that Phegley, 69, used county equipment and workers to deliver dirt and to make improvements to his personal property. Those employees were paid with county funds for the work.

In exchange for his guilty plea to one class-D felony count, Phegley received a one-year suspended sentence to be served on probation. If he completes that year successfully, the conviction will be reduced to a class-A misdemeanor.

Also, Phegley cannot hold a public office for 10 years, and was ordered to pay $1,350 to the county in restitution, in addition to court costs.