Westchester County legislative aide Gary Kriss resigned Monday after he was arrested and charged with four counts of theft.

Kriss pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Kriss allegedly had his assistant Sarah O'Brien, a county employee, work on graphics for novels he was writing. Prosecutors say he even ordered O'Brien to work on a presentation for some of his wife's clients - all while O'Brien was on the clock.

Following Kriss' arraignment, a committee voted to terminate Kriss' employment with the county. If convicted of the charges, he could face up to four years behind bars.

The district attorney also questioned Kriss' boss, County Board of Legislators chairman Bill Ryan, regarding Kriss' alleged use of a county credit card for thousands of dollars in personal purchases. Ryan has yet to comment.

County board votes on Kriss' future

Panel demands top county aide pay up for purchases