News

February 3, 2010

Rendell to pick a sheriff soon

Spokesman: Governor still has to name county, district judges.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to appoint a new Luzerne County sheriff soon.

“The governor will be making an announcement soon, but I don’t know exactly when,” said Gary Tuma, Rendell’s spokesman. “Something could happen soon.”

It’s not known if acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri is being considered.

Guarnieri has been serving as acting sheriff since Sept. 1 when Michael Savokinas abruptly resigned. Carl Zawatski is chief deputy for real estate in the sheriff’s office.

Tuma said the governor is still mulling appointments to fill the county Court of Common Pleas seat formerly held by Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., and the district judge seat formerly held by new county Judge William Amesbury.

The news of an impending appointment came as a revelation to county Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla. She said she has had no discussions with the governor regarding a new sheriff.

“Yes, it comes as somewhat of a surprise to me,” Petrilla said. “Several people have contacted me about the sheriff’s position and I have directed them to the governor’s office. I don’t even know if any of those interested parties ever followed through with their intentions.”

Asked if the county needs a new sheriff, Petrilla declined to answer the question directly.

“Whoever the sheriff is, that person needs to know the county code and comply with it,” she said. “The sheriff needs to be cooperative. We want a sheriff who will follow the law and go about procuring things the right way; we’re just trying to do the right thing every day, and that’s all I would ask from the sheriff.”

The sheriff’s office has been subjected to an investigation by the FBI concerning gun sales. County Solicitor Vito DeLuca recently said he has turned over information to the FBI about sheriff’s office gun sales for further investigation.

The probe began because the sheriff’s office sold an antique Tommy gun and three other guns to Advanced Arms in Pittston for $22,500 without commissioner approval or an independent appraisal. 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.

Petrilla said sales of all guns should have been publicly advertised to give anyone the opportunity to buy them. Guarnieri has said he used some of the money from the Tommy gun sale to purchase Taser equipment for the office.

Guarnieri has filed a lawsuit against the county commissioners over a $6,787 pay cut. Guarnieri argues in the suit that on Oct. 20, minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban instructed the county payroll office to cut his pay and change his job title from chief deputy to acting sheriff. Urban said he had an obligation to make the change because the higher pay violated the state’s County Code, and he did not want to be accused of breaking the law.

Guarnieri earned $43,349 before the change to the sheriff’s salary of $36,562.

Last July, a small amount of suspected marijuana was found in a sheriff’s cruiser, and then-Sheriff Savokinas said he believed it was planted there. Although Savokinas did not implicate anyone, he said there were several confrontations with influential county figures who he said might want to see his reputation damaged.

Specifically, he noted George “Nipper” Nowakowski, whom he defeated in what he termed a “bitter” 2007 Democratic primary race for his current office; former Republican Sheriff Barry Stankus, whom he beat in the general election; and Petrilla. Nowakowski later filed a lawsuit against the former sheriff.

“Clearly, the accusations of the former sheriff were ridiculous,” Petrilla said.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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