Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Denials from a former treasurer who pleaded guilty to stealing $15,400 from the Waynesville Baseball Association and claims that he was "convicted by the media" prompted a scolding from the judge who sentenced him Wednesday.

"You can't plead guilty on one hand and say you didn't do it on the other hand," Judge P. Daniel Fedders told former baseball treasurer Craig Winningham during a brief hearing in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

"I am disappointed that you aren't ready to accept responsibility."

Even so, Judge Fedders went through with a prearranged sentence - 30 days in jail to be served on weekends starting after Christmas, restitution at $500 a month and three years of probation. Mr. Winningham faced up to a year in prison.

Despite objections from prosecutors, Judge Fedders had told Mr. Winningham earlier that he would order that sentence if a background check confirmed he did not have a felony record.

During the presentence investigation, Mr. Winningham told a probation officer that he didn't steal the money, but that he pleaded guilty to a reduced theft charge to get the case behind him, Judge Fedders noted.

A letter to the judge that was signed by 30 of Mr. Winningham's friends and acquaintances maintained that Mr. Winningham was innocent but was "convicted by the media," the judge said.

Mr. Winningham, 37, of Lebanon, declined to explain himself in court Wednesday, remaining silent when Judge Fedders offered him the opportunity to speak.

Mr. Winningham began repaying the association last month, turning over a check for $3,000, authorities said.

A former coach in the Waynesville league, Mr. Winningham took on the duties of treasurer in 2001. He was arrested in January following a police investigation prompted when umpires' checks began bouncing.

The theft caused the association to delay construction of two baseball fields that were needed to accommodate practice and game schedules for 20 teams.