A former Yeadon Borough councilman pleaded guilty today to two counts of harassment against the borough's former finance director.
The plea deal calls for no additional punishment or fines for Terry McGirth, who is alleged to have inappropriately kissed former colleague Terri Phifer Vaughn.
"After speaking with the victim, this is what was offered," said Erica Parham, Delaware County assistant district attorney. "It is my understanding that she was satisfied with his admission of culpability."
McGirth was ousted from his council seat earlier this summer after a judge ruled that a previous embezzlement conviction barred him from the job. McGirth was convicted in Chester County in 2003, for embezzling $100,000 from an employer. He was sentenced to six to 23 months in prison, followed by seven years of probation.
Today, he pleaded guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor offense and a summary judgment offense of harassment, Parham said. Prosecutors dropped charges of stalking and indecent assault.
Vaughn was suspended from her job in February and terminated a month later after the Attorney General's Office launched an investigation into missing funds at the borough.
The state Human Relations Commission is investigating a complaint from Vaughn that the borough retaliated against her for moving forward with charges against McGirth. The commission concluded in August that there was "no probable cause" that the borough handled the sexual harassment claim improperly, spokeswoman Shannon Powers said.
Contact staff writer Joelle Farrell at 610-627-0352 or at jfarrell@phillynews.com.
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