My 18 yr old son was formerly employed as a grocery clerk at Giant Eagle in PA. He was terminated after he was caught eating food that he hadn't paid for. A stupid and dishonest mistake. He was never formally charged with anything. No police - only LP and management at the store were involved . Now, three months later, he received a letter from an organization called "Youghiogheny Valley Specialty Services". The letter says that his, "... case has been selected for processing through Pennsylvania Civil Law Act 141. This is the law that enables and empowers the merchant or his agent to demand a civil payment of $150.00 plus the value of the item plus a reasonable collection fee from a person detained for shoplifting at his store." The letter states, "Basically this letter is an out-of-court settlement between yourself, the store and our company". They want $150 plus $25 for the collection fee, plus the $4.38 cost of the food ($179.38 total). Is this legitimate?
This all seems a little strange to me. Should he pay it? What assurance is there that he will not and can not be prosecuted for this crime if he pays these "fees"? And what if he doesn't pay? Will they really prosecute? Really, for $4.38?" He is a starving college student (pun intended) and it seems clear that the embarrassment of losing his job - not to mention the disappointment of his family and friends - has taught him a very valuable lesson. That said, we just want to be sure that this is a legitimate claim and that there is some assurance that this is the last we will hear about this.
Thanks for any replies and advise.

. He was never formally charged with anything. No police - only LP and management at the store were involved . Now, three months later, he received a letter from an organization called "Youghiogheny Valley Specialty Services". The letter says that his, "... case has been selected for processing through Pennsylvania Civil Law Act 141. This is the law that enables and empowers the merchant or his agent to demand a civil payment of $150.00 plus the value of the item plus a reasonable collection fee from a person detained for shoplifting at his store." The letter states, "Basically this letter is an out-of-court settlement between yourself, the store and our company". They want $150 plus $25 for the collection fee, plus the $4.38 cost of the food ($179.38 total). Is this legitimate? 