Acworth Santa Claus Gets Probation, Placed on Naughty List For Theft

Acworth’s parents and students who participate in this year’s version of Shop With A Cop will be meeting a new Santa Claus, as the previous St. Nick will be serving probation for theft.

According 11 Alive News, Ronald Joseph Papaleoni of Acworth was sentenced to 15 years of probation after pleading guilty to five counts of theft on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege that Papaleoni stole $150,000 from the Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority (LAPA) while he served as its general manger from 2007 to 2009. Defense attorneys claim the amount he stole is much less.

Papaleoni dressed up as Santa Claus for Acworth’s Shop With A Cop event, which pairs underprivileged children with a police officer for a Christmas shopping trip. Papaleoni owned the Joy Foundation, the organization which puts on the event, and prosecutors allege he also used the foundation to siphon funds from LAPA.

The 70-year-old’s work in the community over the years saved him from a prison sentence, but he was not given first offender status because of the sheer number of alleged thefts. Papaleoni will learn how much money he has to repay during a Sept. 19 hearing.