Former Viola Mayor Michael Lester ordered to pay over $2,400 in restitution and serve 18 months’ probation in a felony theft and official misconduct case. He entered a guilty plea to one theft count and 14 official misconduct counts last fall and was sentenced Tuesday in Mercer County Circuit Court. Lester was also given a 30-day jail sentence, which is stayed as long as complies with terms of his probation.
Lester was charged in August of 2023 with one felony count of theft between $500 and $10,000 and 37 felony counts of official misconduct. The allegations involved a time period between October of 2022 and July of 2023.
23 of the official misconduct counts were dismissed as part of his plea.
Lester stepped down as Viola mayor in the fall of 2023.
