Conviction in theft case upheld
In a brief order, a Fayette County judge denied post-trial motions to set aside the theft and conspiracy convictions of Uniontown’s former fire chief.
Myron Nypaver, 46, of Uniontown was sentenced to two years’ probation last month for conspiring with his estranged wife, Lisa Nypaver, to defraud the state by getting unemployment compensation after he was called back to work following a furlough in 2010.
His attorney had asked Judge Steve P. Leskinen to overturn the conviction because there was not sufficient evidence against Myron Nypaver and because one juror, after the verdict was rendered, expressed confusion about the law.
Leskinen, who presided over the trial, denied the motion.
Both Nypavers were convicted of theft by deception and criminal conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Lisa Nypaver, 41, was convicted of an additional charge of access device fraud. Jurors found the amount taken was $16,990, and the judge last month ordered they repay that to the state Department of Labor and Industry.
Lisa Nypaver, who testified that she took the money without her husband’s knowledge, was sentenced to one to two years in a state prison.
Myron Nypaver testified he gave Lisa Nypaver the PIN numbers for his unemployment benefits account, and for the card, and when he went back to work, destroyed the debit card.
Jurors heard evidence that the card was not destroyed and that he was not allowed to share the numbers.