A former campaign aide to Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon pleaded guilty to felony theft charges Tuesday in Common Pleas Court.
According to a statement released by the district attorney's office, Richard North, 24, has already paid back close to $62,000 -- the stolen money and fees -- to the campaign committee.
"Councilman Henon is the victim of a crime and when he discovered that this crime was taking place he notified authorities immediately," said Tasha Jamerson of the district attorney's office in an email.
At the time North was working for Henon's campaign office, he illegally cashed campaign checks and used a credit card to fund a gambling habit, authorities said.
North was sentenced to three years of probation, drug and alcohol counseling and is now prohibited from entering any casinos.
"Upon discovery and confirmation of his actions last year, I immediately relieved Mr. North of his responsibilities with the campaign and reported him to the authorities, who promptly investigated, arrested, and charged Mr. North," Henon said in a statement.
A representative from Henon's office confirmed that the funds taken from Henon's "Bobby '11" re-election campaign totaled more than $40,000.
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Henon said he remains "gravely disappointed" that North betrayed his trust but is "grateful that he has accepted full responsibility for his actions and will continue to seek treatment for the addiction issues that led to this behavior."
