New Castle News

Local News

Related Photos

Discussion

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.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Corvi.jpg News, Herald to launch Business Chronicle

    You will find in Monday’s edition of the New Castle News a magazine called the Mercer-Lawrence County Business Chronicle.
    The News is joining forces with our sister paper, The  Herald in Sharon, which has been producing the Business Chronicle in Mercer County for six years.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo

  • DYM.jpg Meet the 2013 contestants for Lawrence County Distinguished Young Women

    The 2013 Distinguished Young Women Program will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday in Westminster College’s Orr Auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door. Here's your chance to meet all of this year's contestants.
     

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • City Council Briefs: Firm to provide city hall security

    New Castle City Council approved an agreement last night with a Butler firm to provide armed security at city hall. Security Service’s fee is $16 per hour under a seven-month agreement, which will run through the end of this year.

    May 25, 2012

  • Offices to be closed Memorial Day

    Local government offices and other agencies will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. They include:

    May 25, 2012

  • McDonald.jpg Ellwood City’s fire chief resigns

    A 9-year-old boy with spinal meningitis opened his eyes when he heard a fire siren. As longtime colleague Don Ries tells it, the siren was calling Ellwood City volunteers to a shed fire at the B&O Railroad freight station.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • gavel.jpg Council considers board compromise

    New Castle City Council talked of possible compromise Tuesday night regarding the status of the city’s Historical Architectural Review Board.

    May 24, 2012 1 Photo

  • Neshannock to pave streets this summer

    The Neshannock Township supervisors will spend $208,226 to pave roads this summer. The supervisors last night selected Youngblood Paving of Wampum for the project as the lowest of four bidders. Greg DelPrincipe of RAR Engineering opened and tallied the bids.

    May 24, 2012

  • Custer.jpg Pastor attains master chaplain status

    The Rev. Tod Custer has attained a master chaplain certificate from the International Conference Police Chaplains. Ellwood City Mayor Anthony J. Court recently recognized Custer, an Ellwood City police chaplain, for his achievement.
    Custer will receive his certification in Spokane, Wash.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Improvements set for Little Beaver bridge

    Improvements to a bridge that carries Huston Road over Little Beaver Creek in Little Beaver Township are to begin Tuesday. Huston Road will be closed between Route 351 and Scott Wallace Road beginning at 7 a.m. The road will be closed through late August.

    May 23, 2012

  • Mahoning gets sewer tap-in grant

     The Mahoning Township supervisors have received a $500,000 block grant to help residents tap into the new sewer system. Supervisor Vito Yeropoli, who is also sanitation plant secretary/manager, said the township was notified of the grant Monday.

    May 23, 2012