PITTSBURGH -- City Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle pleaded no contest shortly before her trial on ethics violations and theft charges was to begin Tuesday morning.

"The evidence pointed to a finding of guilt if we went to trial in the case," defense attorney Patrick Thomassey said. Sentencing will occur at a later date.

Carlisle, who represented District 9, submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately on Tuesday afternoon. (Read The Letter)

"I wish Councilwoman Carlisle the best in the future, but the reality was, and she acknowledged today, that mistakes were made, and there are repercussions for those mistakes," Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said, adding that the case gave city government a "black eye."

Carlisle, 48, of Homewood, was accused of taking $43,000 in kickbacks from friends whom she had described as consultants and who were allegedly paid with city money to do work of little or no value.

"I think it's an excellent day because it shows, when an individual who is elected to public office decides that they are going to unlawfully dip into the public till, there will be a day of reckoning," assistant district attorney Lawrence Claus said.

Carlisle has denied wrongdoing. She declined to comment after entering her plea at the Allegheny County Courthouse on Tuesday.

If Carlisle is sentenced to jail time, attorneys said it would likely be no longer than a nine-month term.

Because Carlisle was defeated in the May primary, she would have been out of office at the end of December anyway.

Democrat Ricky Burgess, of Homewood, won the election for Carlisle's council seat last week. Burgess will start a four-year term on Jan. 7, and the council will operate with eight members instead of nine until he takes office.

Also pleading no contest on Tuesday was alleged co-conspirator Cheryl Pinson-Smith, 49, of Pittsburgh.

Former Carlisle aide Darlene Durham, 47, of McKeesport, pleaded guilty to theft charges last month and had agreed to testify against the councilwoman.

Previous Stories:

• November 9, 2007: Judge Orders Carlisle To Surrender Mink Coat
• October 29, 2007: Judge Freezes Pay For Carlisle
• April 18, 2007: Councilwoman Won't Resign; Waives Hearing In Theft, Conspiracy Case
• December 8, 2006: Credit Card Firm Files Action Against Councilwoman
• June 20, 2006: Citizens Group Files Impeachment Petition Against Carlisle
• May 19, 2006: Councilwoman's Spending Records Referred To D.A.
• May 9, 2006: Council, Public Weigh In On Controversial Report Commissioned By Carlisle
• May 9, 2006: Carlisle Under Scrutiny For Health Study
• May 5, 2006: Carlisle Refuses To Answer Questions About Study

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