A Kentucky man accused of stealing from his employer pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.

Mark E. Workman, 43, of 1531 Cannonsburg Road, Ashland, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by deception and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. In exchange for his guilty plea, one count of tampering with evidence was dismissed.

Workman was accused of taking $79,000 from the Grandview Inn through several means between July 1, 2007 and Jan. 10, 2008 while he was employed at the motel.

Among other things, authorities said he racked up an $8,000 debt by using the motel’s Sam’s Club card for personal use.

Judge Charles Cooper sentenced Workman to four years in prison but left open the possibility of judicial release after six months if Workman stays out of trouble while he is behind bars and provided he is accepted to a rehabilitation program at the STAR Community Justice Center.

Cooper also ordered Workman to pay $79,000 in restitution to the Grandview Inn.

Workman faces charges as well in Boyd County, Ky. A Circuit Court representative there said Workman is charged with theft by unlawful taking stemming from an incident at the Fairfield Inn in Cannonsburg.