The trial of the former Brentwood borough council president began this morning with testimony that she used borough funds to buy groceries, winter clothes and DVDs for herself.

Mary Dytko, 48, used a Sam's Club card intended for borough purchases to buy more than $2,500 worth of items for her personal use in late 2006 and early 2007. She was arrested and charged in June 2007 after borough treasurer Dawn Lane notified the mayor, who called the district attorney's office.

Receipts introduced by Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Claus showed that Ms. Dytko bought everything from pierogies to winter coats to DVDs of the films The Devil Wears Prada and My Super Ex-Girlfriend. Ms. Dytko reimbursed the borough for more than $1,800 of the purchases, but didn't pay back the remaining $723.76 until after she was arrested.

Ms. Lane said she repeatedly notified Ms. Dytko that the purchases should be repaid, but reimbursement was sporadic and late, when it came at all.

Defense attorney Stephen R. Greenberg, in cross-examining Ms. Lane, noted that there were no procedures in place for use of borough credit cards and other employees had made personal purchases that were later reimbursed -- including Ms. Lane herself, though she testified the charge was accidental.

He also questioned why Ms. Lane waited several months to report the charges to a superior.

"That's because she didn't do anything wrong, isn't it?" Mr. Greenberg asked.

"No, that is not why," Ms. Lane responded.

The prosecution is scheduled to continue this afternoon.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.