Luzerne County Government

Federal probe

April 29, 2010

Griffith: FBI gets records

Contracts, leases in controller’s office sought, he says, adding that specifics can’t be revealed due to ongoing probe.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Two FBI agents served a subpoena on the Luzerne County Controller’s Office Wednesday seeking copies of contracts and leases stored in the office, Controller Walter Griffith verified.

Griffith said the FBI told him he could publicly acknowledge that the subpoena was served but asked him not to reveal which specific contracts and leases they were seeking so he wouldn’t jeopardize an ongoing investigation.

He said he believes he furnished all of the requested records and will fully cooperate if agents need more information.

Griffith, who took office in January, said he might also be required to appear before a grand jury in Scranton on May 4 to furnish additional records or answer questions about documents and approval procedures.

The agents arrived around 2:30 p.m. and left about a half to an hour later with the documents, Griffith said.

The county has been involved in several controversial leases through the years.

Most notable was the $58 million, 20-year lease of the PA Child Care juvenile detention center, which has been connected to the ongoing federal corruption probe. Commissioners got out of that lease and have been renting beds as needed at that facility.

The county’s leasing of a Hazleton district justice office also has come under public scrutiny because of the cost.

The space for District Justice Joe Zola’s court costs the county $6,545 per month, or $78,540 annually. The building at 615 E. Broad St. formerly housed a restaurant. Zola’s office moved there after county officials shut down the old Hazleton annex on suspicion of the presence of mold, though the annex was later deemed safe.

That building is owned by Leonard Rossi, of Grande Inc., according to state and county records. Rossi and Zola are friends. However, Zola has said that he is friends with lots of people and supported the site because it met all his needs – not as a favor. Former commissioners Greg Skrepenak and Todd Vonderheid signed the lease.

County minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban had repeatedly called the lease a “sweetheart deal” because the rate was higher than space rented for other district justices. He pointed out that Rossi bought the building for $150,000 in October 2005.

Commissioners publicly advertised for Hazleton magisterial space several months ago because the lease was expiring. They opted to keep leasing the same space, but the county will now pay $31,730 less during the next two years. Grande Inc. agreed to charge the county $62,675 per year in 2010 and 2011.

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

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