BEAVER — The wife of a former state senator will spend four years on probation after pleading no contest to charges she stole from a nonprofit agency funded by state grants and charities.

Darla LaValle, 70, of Rochester entered her plea to theft and misapplication of entrusted property charges Monday in Beaver County Court.

Investigators say she illegally inflated her salary and pension benefits at the Voluntary Action Center in Rochester, where she was executive director. The center helped low-income people.

Probation was recommended because LaValle has no prior record and restitution was paid.