News

September 20, 2009

Ties to convicted dealer continue through years

By Jerry Lynott jlynott@timesleader.com
Business Writer
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Former judge Michael Conahan has not tried to distance himself from convicted felon Ronald Belletiere.

If anything, their bonds seem to have strengthened in the nearly two decades since testimony in federal court linked Conahan to a drug deal in Miami between Belletiere and a trio of Hazleton men.

Belletiere, formerly of Hazleton, received a 55-month prison sentence for his conviction on drug charges in 1991. He received a substantial reduction for his cooperation in two cases, one of them being the investigation of Conahan whom federal investigators labeled an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the drug deal.

Conahan, now facing a 48-count indictment on racketeering, bribery, money laundering and other charges with fellow former judge Mark Ciavarella, denied having any role in the drug deal and said later that an investigation by the Pennsylvania Judicial Inquiry and Review Board, the agency with whom Belletiere met, found no wrongdoing.

As recently as last March, Conahan and Belletiere appeared to be involved in the Jupiter Yacht Club condominium in Florida owned by the Mountain Top company managed by the wives of the former judges.

According to documents filed with the Florida Department of State, a man identified as “Ronald Belletieri” assumed the role of registered agent for the Pinnacle Group of Jupiter LLC, meaning he could accept service of legal documents on the company’s behalf.

Although the spelling of the last name is different, a further review of paperwork filed with the department by Belletieri turned up the name of attorney Leonard Sands. He was the Coconut Grove, Fla. defense attorney who represented Ronald Belletiere at his drug trafficking trial in Scranton in 1991.

Sands was the registered agent for B&B Bowling LLC, the Boca Raton company owned by “Ronnie A. Belletieri,” according to the limited liability company registration documents filed with the department on Sept. 22, 2008.

Belletieri’s company registered a fictitious name of “Strikes @ Boca” with the department on Jan. 22, of this year.

A woman who answered the phone at the bowling alley last Monday said Belletieri was out of town for the month and took a message.

Sands did not return calls left at his office Monday and Thursday.

Conahan declined comment when he appeared in federal court Tuesday for his arraignment on the charges in the indictment.

A paper trail of documents traces additional connections.

Resident registration forms filed in 2004 with the Jupiter Yacht Club listed “Ron Belletieri” as a permanent guest of both the Conahans and Ciavarellas.

Another document filed with the Florida Department of State on May 26, 2004 for RAB Auto Sales Inc. contained the names of Sands and Barbara Conahan. The company listed the Coconut Grove office of Sands as its principal place of business. He was the registered agent for RAB Auto Sales and Conahan was the president of the company.

The treasurer was listed as Charles Rebhan of Weston, Fla. Last year he told The Times Leader he was present at a 2004 meeting with Belletiere and Michael and Barbara Conahan to discuss setting up a used-car business. Rebhan said at the time he did not know of Belletiere’s criminal record.

The business, listed as inactive in 2007, sold luxury cars such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Rebhan said.

Rebhan said he had worked with Belletiere in the car business before and was asked to participate in RAB because of his knowledge of the business. Rebhan said he did not know what role the Conahans played in the business and assumed they were investors.

Rebhan could not be located for comment.

Former judge Conahan listed RAB Auto Sales as a source of income on financial disclosure forms he was required to file annually with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Jerry Lynott, a Times Leader staff writer, can be contacted at 570 829-7237.

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