Luzerne County Government

June 18, 2010

Sheriff Gilligan dismisses Guarnieri

Former acting sheriff fired; new sheriff says he doesn’t need two chief deputies.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
Bill O'Boyle on Facebook   |   @TLBillOBoyle on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County Sheriff John Gilligan on Thursday fired Chief Deputy Sheriff Charles Guarnieri, effective at the end of the day.

“It was my decision,” Gilligan said. “I appointed Carl Zawatski as my chief deputy, and I informed Mr. Guarnieri that his employment with the county was terminated.”

Gilligan said he eliminated a second chief deputy position.

“Like I’ve said before, I’m here as part of the solution,” Gilligan said. “I will do whatever it takes to restore integrity to this office and the county.”

Gilligan, 60, replaced Guarnieri, who took over when Michael Savokinas resigned from the sheriff’s job last year. Gov. Ed Rendell nominated Gilligan on Feb. 8.

When contacted Thursday, Guarnieri declined to comment.

Gilligan was clear in stating Guarnieri was not let go for cause. The sheriff said he felt he did not need two chief deputies.

Zawatski was serving as deputy chief in charge of the real estate division before being named chief deputy Thursday.

County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said she met with Gilligan on Thursday, and he informed her of his decision.

“I’m sure it was a difficult decision,” Petrilla said. “I respect his decision and I think it was a good one. I think the sheriff is being very prudent; he said he will use the money from the second deputy’s position to improve the department.”

Petrilla said the department’s real estate division “needs tweaking” and Gilligan recognizes the importance of it as a revenue source for the county.

“He really needs that part of his department to tick like a clock,” Petrilla said. “The real estate division has suffered greatly over the last couple of years.”

Guarnieri has 26 years of law enforcement experience, having served as police chief in Duryea borough 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.

He 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.

Gilligan served on the Wyoming police force for 32 years, from 1972 to 2004, the last 22 as chief of the department.

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

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