Former Winchester Finance Director Pleads Guilty In $2 Million Theft

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN, Associated Press

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ A prosecutor says the former finance director of a small Connecticut town has pleaded guilty to larceny charges stemming from the theft of more than $2 million.

Litchfield State’s Attorney David Shepack said Henry Centrella Jr. pleaded guilty Friday to five counts of first-degree larceny in Litchfield Superior Court.

Shepack says Centrella stole about $2.1 million over several years from the town of Winchester.

Winchester officials say the theft had a serious impact on the town’s finances, contributing to the need for a special tax on residents.

A message left for Centrella’s attorney Friday was not immediately returned.

A plea deal recommends an 11-year prison sentence for Centrella when he is sentenced in April.

Authorities say Centrella had significant gambling losses and was sending money to a mistress in Florida.