COAL TOWNSHIP -- Imagine being sentenced to community service for a crime and then buying gift cards to get out of it. That's what was happening in Northumberland County.
State officials say for years defendants were able to buy gift cards, give them to the county probation department, and get out of their community service.
Those gift cards were supposed to be donated to local charities.
In 2014, $4,000 worth of unused cards were discovered sitting in a safe at the County probation department.
"We don't have no idea where the gift cards go. They don't have no book. They don't have no record. They don't have nothing. That was crazy,” said Democratic Northumberland Commissioner Vinny Clausi.
Clausi wasn't the only one shocked and disgusted when he found out about the practice. Republican State Senator John Gordner introduced a bill which was just signed into law by Governor Wolf, making the practice of buying your way out of sentences either with gift cards, checks, or money orders, illegal.
"I was mad from a fairness standpoint. It violated a judge's orders. I believe judges give community service for a reason," Gordner told Newswatch 16.
Many people living in Northumberland County had no idea buying gift cards to get out of community service was ever an option. They're happy with the new law.
“I think if you do something you gotta pay what you do for what you do. That's how it goes. You don't get breaks,” said Oohwee Lindo of Shamokin.
"It's crazy to have somebody get a gift card and get out of doing any kind of community service. It's absolutely asinine really,” said Joseph Savidge, a resident of Coal Township.
The new law goes into effect in 60 days.
"I think the new law is good. I think it's time somebody wizen up and I hope the court does what's right and the victim has to listen to the judge. Whatever the judge says they have to do, that's what they do. No more gift cards,” said Clausi.
