News

January 27, 2010

County gives sheriff gun sale info to FBI

Solicitor demands answers from acting sheriff; controller could use subpoena to obtain information.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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Luzerne County Solicitor Vito DeLuca said he has turned over information about sheriff’s office gun sales to the FBI for further investigation.

He has also demanded more information from acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri and said county Controller Walter Griffith has agreed to use his subpoena powers to obtain the information if Guarnieri doesn’t comply.

DeLuca started investigating because the sheriff’s office sold a Tommy gun and three other guns to Advanced Arms in Pittston for $22,500 without commissioner approval or an independent appraisal.

He said Tuesday that financial records show the office sold another 19 guns to individuals in 2009, including some employees.

DeLuca said he has asked Guarnieri to furnish information about these gun sales because the county’s financial records don’t indicate the types of guns sold and whether there were any independent appraisals.

He also demanded a complete inventory of all guns currently held by the sheriff’s office.

According to the financial records, guns were sold to the following people in 2009, along with the amount paid: Mark Senczakowicz, $250; Jason Volciak, two guns at $125 each; Carl Zawatski, $375; Donald Lasoski, $125; Leslie Middaugh, $375; John Evanchick Jr., $250; Joseph Christino, $250; Anthony Giannott, $375; Mary Jean Farrell, $375; Hank Nothen, $125; Joseph Oliveri, $125; Mandy Leandri, $125; Gary Loughney, $250; Brian Szumski, $375; Donald Kresenski, $250; Eugene Gurnari, $125; Michael Savokinas, $150; and William Joyce, $250.

Savokinas was sheriff until he resigned Sept. 1. Zawatski is chief deputy for real estate in the sheriff’s office.

DeLuca stressed that the list is based on the county’s computerized financial accounting system, and he has not personally contacted any individuals on the list to verify that they purchased guns.

Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said sale of all guns should have been publicly advertised to give anyone the opportunity to buy them.

“It’s just mind boggling. An inventory like this should have gone out for competitive bid. That’s just common government practice, and it is clearly black and white in the state County Code,” Petrilla said.

Commissioners recently voted to seek proposals from an auctioneer to sell surplus county property, she noted.

“We’re going to auction sinks, washers and dryers, beds, old TVs from the prison – all kinds of odds and ends to ensure we get the best price when we liquidate these county assets,” Petrilla said.

She complained that the sheriff’s office has been unresponsive to the county’s questions.

DeLuca said Griffith was “all too willing to assist” by using his subpoena powers in the investigation.

County controllers have authority to issue subpoenas demanding the appearance of county employees and other outside witnesses to answer questions about county finances. People who are subpoenaed may also be ordered to produce books, vouchers and “papers relative to such accounts,” according to state law.

The controller also has the power to administer oaths to all people appearing before them, the code says.

Michelle Castner, a deputy sheriff in the office’s real estate division, has said the office showed the FBI all guns stored in the office last year so an official inventory could be done.

The office ends up with guns because people sometimes donate them, she said. The office also confiscates guns as part of protection-from-abuse cases, and court orders are obtained to sign them over to the office if the weapons have gone unclaimed for years, she said.

Guarnieri has said he used some of the money from the Tommy gun sale to purchase Taser equipment for the office.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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