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Gerald Smith, the former Kirtland Hills police chief, was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison.

(File photo)

Gerald Smith

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A former Kirtland Hills police chief was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday for using his village credit card and petty cash accounts to make at least $80,000 worth of unauthorized purchases.

Gerald Smith Jr., 57, was taken into custody following the hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson in Youngstown.

According to an information filed in October, Smith spent the money to furnish his Florida condominium, including ceiling fans, plumbing supplies, vacuum cleaners, children's lunch boxes and books, clothing, televisions, book shelves, personal hygiene items, firearms, and car repairs, according to the information.

He concealed the improper purchases, made between 2007-14, by making false entries on receipts to make it appear as if they had been made for official police business or by other officers. Smith spread the purchases among several accounts in an attempt to prevent officials from the small Lake County village from noticing large expenditures.

He also used a village credit card to buy a $107.96 pair of women's boots, which he said were for another police officer. And he obtained village money from the petty cash account by submitting false claims in the names of other officers.

When the theft came to light, the village council suspended him and replaced him with Chief Steve Payne.

Smith pleaded guilty to a mail fraud charge in November. He also pleaded to destroying records that are part of a federal investigation for secretly bringing more than 50 items from his home to a village storage shed after he was relieved of duty and was issued a grand jury subpoena.

Smith joined the police department in 1978 and was appointed chief in 1988. His attorney, Michael Hennenberg, did not immediately return a phone call Thursday.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office says that Smith has paid $140,503 to cover his fraud and legal expenses the village incurred. Pearson ordered him to pay an additional $9,034 in restitution.

Smith's state peace officer certification was revoked in January. According to a court filing, he does not plan to challenge the revocation.