NORWICH – Two former employees of Opportunities for Chenango who were accused of stealing more than $2,000 worth of building supplies and other items from the organization’s low income Weatherization Assistance program pleaded guilty last week to a reduced charge.

First Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee reported that 31-year-old Kim P. Slater Jr. and 21-year-old Thomas M.W. Demuth pleaded guilty to petit larceny, a misdemeanor, after originally being charged with fourth degree grand larceny, a felony.

“Normally people come into court and try play dumb in these kinds of cases, but these defendants seemed to possess a willingness to admit their crimes and pay for them from the beginning,” he said. “Both men admitted their role in the crimes at their arraignment and said they were willing to cooperate and pay back the amounts. So in the best interest of justice, we reduced it from felony to a lower charge.”

Dunshee also noted the men lack of criminal histories and that both had lost their jobs as a result of the conviction.