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By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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Luzerne County Prothonotary-elect Carolee Medico Olenginski has sent a letter to county commissioners complaining about the physical condition of her future private office.

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Medico Olenginski said she left the office in immaculate condition when Jill Moran replaced her eight years ago, and she was “stunned and appalled” to find it in “deplorable” shape when she made an unexpected visit last week.

The letter says the rug had a black stain that appeared to be grease. She also described dirty walls, furniture “marked beyond normal use” and a six-inch section of missing plaster. A round matching table is also missing, she said.

“I suggest that the former prothonotary be held responsible for the cost of repairing and/or replacing all county property destroyed in the office during her administration,” Medico Olenginski wrote. “Taxpayers must not be burdened with this unacceptable, destructive and costly behavior.”

Moran could not be immediately reached for comment Friday on her cell phone. She resigned from the seat in March because of an agreement with federal prosecutors connected to the county corruption probe.

Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said she received Medico Olenginski’s letter and visited the office in response. She said she does not believe the office is “trashed” – a word used in the letter.

Petrilla said there is no money in the budget for new carpet, furniture or remodeling. The carpet and furniture will be cleaned before Medico Olenginski takes office.

“If she needs to get it painted, we will,” Petrilla said.

Medico Olenginski said the condition of the private office is beyond normal wear and tear because it was not subjected to heavy traffic.

“I have rugs in my house that are 15 years old, and I have a lot of traffic, and there’s not one mark on them,” she said. “The office was beautiful, and now it’s deteriorated.”

Medico Olenginski, who served as prothonotary from 1998 to 2002, beat contender Nancy McGinley Bellas in the general election.

She will return to the office in January.