Luzerne County Government

July 9, 2010

Griffith gets to inventory county guns

Controller has been seeking sheriff department access since January.

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

After months of failed attempts, Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith was granted permission Thursday to inspect the inventory of county-owned guns in the sheriff’s office.

New Sheriff John Gilligan gave the clearance to Griffith, prompting the controller to withdraw a court filing seeking a judge’s order to allow him to inspect the weapons. Griffith said the filing was necessary because previous acting sheriff Charles Guarneri had thwarted his request to see the guns.

Griffith has been requesting access to the guns since January, when county officials learned the sheriff’s office sold a Tommy submachine gun and three other guns to Advanced Arms in Pittston for $22,500 without commissioner approval or an independent appraisal. Sheriff deputies also have been allowed to purchase guns.

Griffith said he will be working with the county purchasing department to inventory all county computers, printers, copiers and other equipment – not just guns.

The county purchasing policy requires the purchasing department and controller to be involved in all disposal of county equipment, but some departments have failed to follow that mandate, he said.

Inventories will give the county a periodic comparison to determine whether equipment is missing and ensure that the county doesn’t miss opportunities to sell unneeded equipment for revenue, Griffith said.

“Somebody’s junk could be somebody else’s treasure. People in the county have been allowed to do what they want with county property. That’s what started this whole matter,” Griffith said.

Griffith said a few more county-owned guns must still be inventoried in the sheriff’s office.

“The sheriff’s office was very cooperative,” he said.

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

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