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June 30, 2008

Federal grand jury will review Felasco's records

By Patrick E. Litowitz

The Gary Felasco saga appears to have regained momentum.

The Lawrence County Treasurer’s Office received a subpoena seeking the wage and employment records of its former treasurer.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, asked for the materials June 14. The New Castle News obtained a copy of the subpoena and confirmed its authenticity through county Treasurer Richard L. Rapone’s solicitor, attorney Ted Saad.

Saad declined to provide additional comment. Attempts to reach Rapone for comment were unsuccessful.

A federal grand jury, which will review the records, is being convened in Pittsburgh. The county has until July 22 to provide information involving the convicted treasurer. The target of the grand jury investigation has not been announced.

The records being sought cover Jan. 1, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2006. The list includes wage and tax statements (forms W-2, W-4 and 1099) for 2003 through 2005; employment and payroll records; and background records, such as credit checks and personnel files.

An attempt to reach Assistant U.S. Attorney General Brendan T. Conway, who filed the subpoena, was not successful.

Approximately two years ago, Felasco was convicted on charges involving the theft of taxpayer money and a certificate of deposit belonging to a fraternal organization. He also pleaded guilty to an ethics law violation. Publicity generated by the case forced a change of venue to Venango County.

Originally, Judge Michael J. Wherry ordered the former Cunningham Avenue resident to pay $514,658 in restitution and $77,526 in prosecution costs. When contacted yesterday, a worker at Venango County’s clerk of courts said Wherry ordered Felasco to pay $173,214.66 in restitution and fines.

To date, Felasco has repaid approximately $875 to Lawrence County.

He also spent one year in the State Correctional Institution at Albion.

Felasco, who is on probation until 2013, lives in Ashtabula County, Ohio. An Internet directory service reported Felasco and his wife, Jeannine, had residences at 5042 Reed Ave., Ashtabula, and 4710 E. Lake Road, Geneva-on-the-Lake.

The telephone was disconnected at Felasco’s Ashtabula home. A call to Felasco’s Geneva-on-the-Lake residence was directed to an answering machine. Per Ashtabula County property records, 4710 E. Lake Road, Geneva-on-the-Lake, is the site of Indian Creek RV Resort.

Attempts to reach Felasco and his defense attorney, James Ross, for comment were unsuccessful.

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