NEW CASTLE — A former state lawmaker on probation for conflict-of-interest charges will stand trial for allegedly trying to get altered prescriptions filled at a pharmacy.

Ellwood City police say 51-year-old former state Rep. Frank LaGrotta altered prescriptions for the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in March and April. Police say LaGrotta changed the prescriptions so he could get 180 pills each time, instead of 120.

LaGrotta is awaiting a preliminary hearing Aug. 26 on a similar charge in neighboring Beaver County.

LaGrotta declined to comment after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

LaGrotta lost a re-election bid in 2006. He's on probation for pleading guilty in 2008 to putting two family members in state jobs with little or no work.

EBENSBURG — A Western Pennsylvania man was convicted of stealing more than $650,000 from an elderly woman.Jurors in Cambria County deliberated for only about an hour Wednesday afternoon before convicting 55-year-old Frank Solensky Jr. of Windber of all 18 counts of theft by deception.The 94-year-old woman says she treated Solensky like a son from 2000 to 2008, and she even listed him in her prepared obituary — but she's now changed that. Prosecutors said he took the money in 268 checks made out by the woman for inflated costs for home improvement and repair supplies.Solensky pleaded guilty in March but later withdrew the plea. He testified Wednesday he was innocent and had done all work sought by the woman. Solensky appeared stunned by the verdict and declined to answer questions from reporters as he left the courtroom.