Victim's forgiveness keeps embezzler out of prison

Elizabeth "Betty" Greenawalt embezzled more than $900,000 from her long-time employer and neighbor, robbing him of money that he could have taken into his retirement.

Ralph Bucci went to Delaware County Court yesterday for Greenawalt's sentencing. Instead of seeking revenge, he offered forgiveness.

"I do not seek a prison sentence on my behalf," Bucci told Judge James F. Nilon Jr.

Joan Bucci, his wife, called it a difficult day for her. She mentioned Greenawalt's gambling addiction and said Greenawalt's actions had hurt the family emotionally and financially. The Buccis' two daughters and son also testified that they had no desire to see Greenawalt go to prison, and that they also forgave her.

Greenawalt, who turned 66 yesterday, is in remission from Stage IV ovarian cancer. She was sentenced to nine months of house arrest and more than 19 years of probation, and ordered to pay approximately $636,000 in restitution and serve 300 hours of community service.

The former bookkeeper had worked by Ralph Bucci's side at Environmental Equipment & Service Co., a small water-treatment business in Marcus Hook. At age 66, he still works full time at the company.

"As a whole, this is what we wanted to do," Ralph Bucci said of forgiving Greenawalt. "Life is good to us. We have a strong family."

On Jan. 30, Greenawalt pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft and forgery. The standard recommended sentencing guidelines would be nine to 16 months of incarceration for each count.

Yesterday, Nilon told Greenawalt that if not for her medical condition and age, he would "slam" her with a heavier sentence.

"I'm going to give full weight to the requests of the Bucci family," the judge said. He called the Buccis "remarkable."

The thefts began in 1997, when Greenawalt wrote one check for $579.87. They continued for about 10 years and reached more than $925,000.

The embezzlement was discovered while Greenawalt was on vacation and Bucci's daughter-in-law, who was filling in, noticed suspicious entries in the financial records.

At first, the Buccis attempted to work out a repayment agreement with Greenawalt. When that broke down, they went to the district attorney's office.

Yesterday, Greenawalt shook and cried as friends and family testified on her behalf, imploring the judge to grant her leniency and not send the grandmother to prison.

When Greenawalt testified, she spoke of the death of her husband, of how she gave up her house for restitution, and of her illness. She apologized and asked for forgiveness.

"If I could take back one day of my life," said Greenawalt, who has been living with one of her two sons, "I would take back that day when I committed that offense for the first time."

"You had 10 years to take back that day," Nilon said. "You didn't acknowledge any deception until police showed up at your door."

In the hallway after the sentencing, Greenawalt's family thanked the Buccis for their kindness and forgiveness. Hugs were exchanged.

"It is the one thing we always knew about the Bucci family: They are very good people," said Greenawalt's son Robert.