The former head of the Office of Business Services pleaded guilty last month to theft by deception and now awaits sentencing while free on bail.

D. Lewis Mothersbaugh was charged with stealing $22,932.13 from the University during the last five years -- money his attorney said paid for company picnics. Mothersbaugh officially resigned Nov. 17 from his duties as assistant vice president for business services after working 32 years at the University.

Sentencing should take place around Feb. 1, said Mothersbaugh's attorney, Robert Mitinger. He said he could not predict the judge's decision but hopes the sentence will be lenient.

"I would prefer that he be on probation," Mitinger said. "He's already made reimbursements."

But Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar will ask the judge to sentence Mothersbaugh to state prison. He did not say how many years Mothersbaugh might be in prison, but stressed it would be the state, not the county, prison.

Eight current and four former employees allegedly contributed to $9,693.05 in false accounts. No one else has been charged yet, but Gricar said, "Somebody will be."

Gricar would not comment whether Gregory A. Ingram, the former director of business services who was allegedly involved, would be charged. Ingram resigned two days after Mothersbaugh.

Regardless of what happens, the University is anxious to move forward, said Bill Mahon, director of public information. "The University felt that everything had been satisfied and restitutions had been made," Mahon said. He would not comment on Gricar's request to send Mothersbaugh to prison.

Undergraduate Student Government President Chris Saunders said imprisoning Mothersbaugh seemed a little extreme. "I think losing his job is punishment enough, considering he was only trying to improve the University," Saunders said.

"Did he do it so he could take his kids to Europe? No. He did it to keep morale up," Saunders said, referring to the employee picnics.

Mothersbaugh could not be reached for comment and his wife would not comment on the case.