Former Wellman official gets deferred judgment

WELLMAN — Former Wellman city administrator Mark Baker, who lost his job in January after police said he stole a $10 bottle of aspirin, has been given a one-year deferred sentence.

That means that if Baker, 53, successfully completes a year of probation and doesn't get into any more trouble during that time, the fifth-degree theft charge will be cleared from his record.

The disposition happened May 16, according to court records. Baker could not be reached for comment.

Baker, one of 40 applications for the Wellman city administrator position, assumed his duties in early October. He was charged Jan. 3 after police said he took a $10.69 bottle of aspirin from Freeman Foods in Wellman.

Baker was placed on administrative leave for a brief time between his arrest and the City Council decision in January to terminate his contract.