A former Middletown paralegal who is also that city’s former mayor pleaded guilty Tuesday to fraud charges stemming from a scheme in which he embezzled more than $500,000 from his former employer and stole nearly $400,000 from his brother to pay back the law firm.

Stephen Gionfriddo, 68, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Meyer to one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. He will be sentenced Feb. 12, and faces up to 40 years in prison.


Related story: Complaint: Paralegal Stole More Than $900,000 From Firm, Family