Former Union Grove Water Supply employee sentenced to probation for theft case

Published 5:55 pm Monday, July 1, 2013

GILMER — A judge has placed the former longtime business office manager of the Union Grove Water Supply Corporation on 10 years probation and ordered her to pay $40,350 restitution after the woman admitted stealing from the firm, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd’s office announced Monday.

Janna L. Goza, 45, of Gladewater, was sentenced by 115th District Judge Lauren Parish on June 25 upon pleading guilty to “theft of property of the value of $20,000 or more but less than $100,000,” Byrd’s office said.

Among terms of her probation are 300 hours of community service, paying various fees and court costs, an alcohol/drug evaluation, and “theft classes,” the office said.

Byrd represented the state at sentencing while attorney Scott Novy represented Mrs. Goza, Byrd’s office reported.

Mrs. Goza, who worked for the corporation about 14 years in the same capacity, was placed on administrative leave in January 2012, and the corporate board fired her in late February or early March of that year, Byrd has said.



She turned herself in to authorities a few days after the county grand jury returned a sealed indictment against her July 20, 2012, Byrd’s office said. She had been free on bond.