Former Home and School chief pleads guilty

Greg Wade, the disgraced former president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council, pleaded guilty in Municipal Court yesterday to four counts of felony theft and pledged to make restitution for funds he stole from the nonprofit parents' group.

Wade, 53, admitted forging 145 checks for personal expenses and using money from the parents' organization to buy a 2009 Dodge Journey, said Nick Liermann, an assistant district attorney. Wade also tried to hire two staffers, even though he was a volunteer and had no authority to hire staff.

Wade has agreed to repay a minimum of $115,000, said Mia Roberts, his defense attorney.

Liermann said the total includes $93,000 for the forged checks and $10,000 to the car dealer.

Wade, who entered the four non-negotiated pleas, could face up to 28 years in prison.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 17.

The Northeast Philadelphia resident was elected president of the district-wide parents' group in 2006 and reelected to a second, two-year term last fall. He was arrested in November.