Luzerne County Government

May 11, 2010

Luzerne County records committee at standstill

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

 The committee that oversees Luzerne County's record improvement fund has no chairman because Clerk of Courts Bob Reilly resigned from the chairmanship this morning and no other members volunteered to fill the leadership role.

 The fund, which comes from a fee on recorded deeds, has been linked to the bribery charge against Reilly. Roughly $37,500 remains in the fund.

 Federal prosecutors allege that Reilly steered work to contractor Barton Weidlich in exchange for $1,500 in kickbacks. Most of the payments to Weidlich were made from the records improvement fund and stayed hidden until recently because Reilly paid the company through an outside records consultant.

 Reilly has maintained that he didn't obtain public votes authorizing payments to Weidlich and others because fellow record improvement committee members failed to attend meetings - a claim that at least two other members deny.

 This morning's committee meeting was the first held since Reilly was charged, and Clerk of Courts Deputy Tom Pizano read a statement from Reilly that he was resigning as chairman because of his "situation."

 In addition to the clerk of courts, the law requires the three county commissioners, sheriff, treasurer, register of wills and prothonotary to sit on the committee.

 Register of Wills Dottie Stankovic nominated Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla as chairman, but Petrilla declined. Someone suggested Prothonotary Carolee Medico Olenginski take the role, but she said she is too busy with her office. Medico Olenginski nominated Stankovic, but Stankovic also declined, citing her workload.

 With no chairman, the committee adjourned the meeting.

 Medico Olenginski and Petrilla exchanged sharp words before the meeting adjourned.

 See Wednesday's edition for the complete story.

 

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