Felasco trial set for May in Venango County

Lawrence County Treasurer Gary F. Felasco’s criminal trial is tentatively set for May at the Venango County courthouse in Franklin.

According to information from the Venango County courts, a jury is scheduled to be selected on May 1. The trial will follow within the next couple of weeks.

Michael J. Wherry, visiting senior judge, will preside. Wherry, who worked in Lawrence County’s courts last year, presided over pretrial and other civil matters involving Felasco.

Wherry said yesterday that he spoke in a conference call with Deputy Attorney General Anthony Krastek, the prosecutor and attorney James Ross, representing Felasco.

The attorneys had other commitments prior to May, Wherry said. The trial is expected to last four days, he said.

The state Supreme Court handed down an order Jan. 9 that ordered a change of venue from Lawrence County for Felasco’s trial.

Ross, who requested the change, claimed that because of extensive media publicity, his client cannot get a fair trial here.

Krastek did not contest the request.

Felasco was arrested in September and faces charges of theft, embezzlement and violations of the state ethics act. He is accused of stealing more than $40,000 in tax money during a three-month period in 2003.

He also is accused of having illegal stays on delinquent properties in the tax claim bureau, including his, which kept those properties out of tax claim sales.

He was released on his own recognizance.