Luzerne County Government

June 8, 2010

Pa. Senate approves new sheriff

Former Wyoming Borough police chief John Gilligan receives confirmation of appointment.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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The Pennsylvania Senate Monday, on a 47-0 vote, approved the appointment of former Wyoming Borough police chief John Gilligan as Luzerne County sheriff.

Gilligan, 60, will replace acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri, who took over when Michael Savokinas resigned last year.

According to Gary Tuma, spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell, Gilligan was nominated by the governor on Feb. 8. His nomination is in its 23rd of 25 days in the Senate.

“If he wasn’t approved within the 25 days, we would simply have recalled and resubmitted the nomination,” Tuma said.

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said, “I have urged action in filling these positions of responsibility so that all parts of county government can begin operating effectively again.”

Reached in his car on his return home from being out of town, Gilligan said he was ecstatic to hear his confirmation.

“I know I need to be sworn in, but I intend to be at the courthouse Tuesday morning to meet with people,” Gilligan said. “I’m thrilled with the vote; it’s a very humbling experience to know that many people have confidence in me to do this job.”

Gilligan said he will meet with county commissioners and with employees of the sheriff’s department.

“I only have one message,” he said. “I want to restore integrity to the office. I’ve heard about turmoil there; let’s get the respect back, do the job and do it right.”

Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla would say only, “I look forward to working with him.”

Republican minority Commissioner Steve Urban said he wants to meet with Gilligan at the earliest possible time to discuss several issues.

“I’ve been told by some real estate agents that there are delays in processing deeds from sheriff sale properties,” Urban said. “I want him to look into that and I have a few other issues I intend to bring up.”

Gilligan has been working as a security guard at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and said in February that he would probably leave that position if confirmed by the Senate. Gilligan, a Democrat, served on the Wyoming police force for 32 years from 1972 to 2004, the last 22 as chief of the department. When he submitted his name to the governor for consideration shortly after Savokinas resigned, Gilligan said no one had asked him to apply for the position. He said he had considered running for the position in the past.

Gilligan and his wife, Karen, are parents of seven children. They reside in Wyoming.

Gilligan would not comment on staff, especially the retention of Guarnieri. The chief deputy is an appointed position, and Guarnieri has stated in the past that he hopes to be retained.

Guarnieri has 26 years of law enforcement experience, having served as police chief in Duryea and before that in Pittston Township.

The sheriff’s office recently was subjected to an investigation by the FBI concerning gun sales.

Guarnieri filed a lawsuit against the county commissioners over a $6,787 pay cut, regarding his pay and change in job title from chief deputy to acting sheriff. Guarnieri earned $43,349 before the change to the sheriff’s salary of $36,562. In March, Judge Joseph Cosgrove ruled the county must restore the higher deputy salary.

Guarnieri did not return messages left on his cell phone.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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