News

January 28, 2010

Officials go at it in courthouse hall

County solicitor, controller get in verbal squabble with acting sheriff.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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A heated exchange broke out in the courthouse hallway Wednesday morning between acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri and two county officials – Solicitor Vito DeLuca and Controller Walter Griffith.

DeLuca is investigating the sheriff’s office’s sale of guns – and spending of the revenue – without approval from county commissioners.

Griffith is refusing to pay an $18,200 bill for Taser equipment that Guarnieri purchased using gun sale proceeds because commissioners did not authorize the expenditure.

Guarnieri headed to DeLuca’s courthouse basement office Wednesday morning to discuss an e-mail DeLuca had sent him the day before demanding a log of all guns in the office, including ones that were sold.

The acting sheriff complained to DeLuca that the media knew about the e-mail before he had a chance to see it.

DeLuca said the last e-mail he sent to Guarnieri was confirmed as sent, and Guarnieri had claimed he never received it a week later. He advised Guarnieri to check his e-mail more often, but Guarnieri said he had been busy with other matters on Wednesday morning.

DeLuca said he is frustrated that Guarnieri refers everything to his solicitor instead of supplying requested information.

“What do I pay the guy for?” Guarnieri said, referring to his solicitor, Joseph Sklarosky.

DeLuca told him point blank that he wants a log of all weapons the office sold and currently has in possession.

“Talk to my solicitor,” Guarnieri said.

“Right. What did I say?” DeLuca said.

“That’s why we’re good buddies,” the acting sheriff said.

“Wait till you get Walter’s subpoena,” DeLuca said.

Griffith has said he will exercise his subpoena powers, forcing Guarnieri to submit the requested information if the sheriff’s office fails to furnish it to DeLuca.

Griffith and Guarnieri discussed the Taser payment before DeLuca had emerged from his office. Griffith happened to be there for a meeting with the solicitor.

Guarnieri said he didn’t think he needed commissioner approval and purchased the Tasers without public bids because Tasers may only be purchased from Witmer Public Safety Group in Coatesville, Pa.

But the controller told him the state County Code says commissioners must approve all purchases, so he won’t release the money without official authorization from commissioners.

Guarnieri half jokingly said he can’t go to commissioners for approval because he is suing them over the reduction of his pay when he became acting sheriff in September.

Griffith said he won’t budge, because he is enforcing the law. He said he contacted Witmer, and the company is willing to accept the 20 Tasers and other related equipment sold to the county for $18,200 as long as the items have not been removed from the original packaging.

Guarnieri did not indicate what he plans to do about the matter.

Griffith said the Tasers should not have been unpackaged because Guarnieri acknowledged that only two deputies have been trained to use the equipment. The office already had five Tasers purchased in September using $4,175 in gun proceeds, said Griffith, who took office in January.

Griffith said the records show that county Chief Clerk/Manager Doug Pape authorized that September purchase, which included five air cartridges and shipping.

Before he ran into DeLuca on Wednesday, Guarnieri complained that the media is not reporting that DeLuca represents private clients in court during the county workday.

DeLuca said he made it clear to commissioners that he would continue his private practice in addition to working as county solicitor, a position that pays $50,800. DeLuca said he goes above and beyond as solicitor because he investigates questionable matters in addition to reviewing contracts and providing counsel at meetings.

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

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