Sloan Highway Superintendent Sean McGee pleaded guilty today to third-degree grand larceny for an embezzlement scheme that netted him almost $15,000 in village property.

McGee, 52, who was allowed to remain free pending his July 16 sentencing, faces a sentence ranging from probation to seven years in prison based on how much of what he stole he repays. He declined comment after his appearance before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller.

Sloan Village Attorney Paul F. Murak said McGee's resignation from his village job is pending.

During a pre-indictment plea proceeding, McGee admitted he stole $14,859 worth of village-owned tools through last October.

Prosecutor Gary M. Ertel and Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita said McGee, a longtime Sloan village employee, pleaded guilty to the highest charge an Erie County grand jury could have lodged against him.

Sedita said Cheektowaga Police Department began investigating the situation after Sloan village officials found that several small tool and tire purchases made by McGee last year had not been logged into the village government's inventory sheets.

Village officials also were concerned because a review of records for the fiscal years 2007 through 2009 showed a "suspiciously large increase in purchases of this nature" by McGee.

The district attorney lauded Cheektowaga Police Detectives Joseph Bauman and Christopher Chojnacki for heading the investigation that lead to McGee's criminal admissions.