Ex-Usfs Worker Admits Phony Entries

A former forest service employee has pleaded guilty in federal court to falsifying records and contracts, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Cathy Bettigole, 47, of Pinehurst, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for making a false statement, a felony. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.

By pleading guilty, Bettigole admitted that while working for the U.S. Forest Service in 1993 and 1994 she intentionally changed tree planting inspection sheets. Bettigole then created bills to show the contractor had fully performed the work, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

The forest service paid the contractor in full before discovering later that only partial payment should have been made because the work had not been completed, prosecutors said.

A federal judge also could order Bettigole to pay restitution for forest service losses.