Luzerne County Government

By Sheena Delazio sdelazio@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Nearly six months after a former county judge was recommended to become the next court administrator, the position remains vacant, and some officials say it has to do with the state budget.

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Musto

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In December, the Luzerne County court en banc, under the tenure of former President Judge Chester Muroski, recommended former Judge Joseph Musto to fill the vacancy left by William Sharkey, who was one of the first county officials charged in the ongoing county corruption probe.

Since then, current President Judge Thomas Burke said he has been waiting for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts and the state’s chief justice to make an appointment.

“The recommendation was made in December of 2009 to the AOPC and the chief justice, but the position remains open at this time,” Burke said.

AOPC spokesman Art Heinz said Tuesday there has been a lot of interest in the position and he acknowledged there has been quite some time since the recommendation, but he has nothing new to report.

One court official speculated the position remains unfilled because of the state budget crisis. Chief Justice Ronald Castille wrote to Gov. Ed Rendell in April, asking him to stop nominating judges for vacancies as a cost-cutting measure.

The Associated Press reported in May that the state could save a few million dollars by keeping nearly 24 judgeships open until next year’s elections.

And because judgeships won’t be filled, Luzerne County Minority Commissioner Stephen Urban said he doesn’t think they would fill a lesser position – court administrator.

“Their issue at this point in time is that they don’t want new judges appointed to fill vacancies,” Urban said. “That would make me think that (Rendell isn’t) going to fill a court administration position.”

Urban has spoken in the past about funding that has been cut for a number of court branches, including probation services, and has said he would push for the state to comply with a 22-year-old state Supreme Court mandate to fund county court systems.

“It’s true there are concerns that exist in the budget process, but the position has been advertised, candidates have been selected and the process goes forward,” Heinz said. “But it has not ended.”

The position has been vacant since Sharkey was terminated on Feb. 24, 2009, just days after he plead guilty to stealing $70,000 in seized illegal gambling proceeds.

Since the departure, acting court administrator John Mulroy and deputy court administrator Peter J. Adonizio have taken over Sharkey’s responsibilities.

Luzerne County judges received 41 applications in September and narrowed the list down to 14 for the $76,377-a-year position.

The court administrator is instrumental in overseeing the management of cases, personnel and budgets for several court branches.

Sheena Delazio, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7235.