Skrepenak pleads guilty

County corruption Federal guidelines call for ex-commissioner to get 33-41 months in bribe case

SCRANTON – Six years after he first took an oath to honestly represent the people as a Luzerne County commissioner, Greg Skrepenak pleaded guilty to accepting a $5,000 bribe in exchange for helping a developer secure tax funding for a construction project.

The former NFL lineman entered the plea during a brief hearing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Richard Conaboy in Scranton.

When the judge asked Skrepenak why he was pleading guilty, Skrepenak responded, “I have to hold myself accountable for what has happened.”

While walking from the courtroom to meet with probation officials, Skrepenak said, “It’s just sad.”

The 39-year-old Jenkins Township man was charged on Dec. 18 with one count of corrupt receipt of a reward for official action. He resigned as commissioner the day before the charge was filed.

As he waited for court Tuesday, Skrepenak said the day he resigned from public office was as painful as appearing in court on Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors say Skrepenak accepted at least $5,000 from a contractor who sought to have a Jenkins Township property approved for the Tax Increment Financing Program (TIF).

The criminal complaint says Skrepenak made a motion to approve the TIF at a January 2008 commissioners meeting, and the only TIF approved that month was for the Insignia Point Courtyards town house project owned by George Albert and Anthony Trombetta. Skrepenak had made that motion.

Federal sentencing guidelines call for a sentence of 33 to 41 months in prison, but a judge could sentence Skrepenak to less time, or up to the maximum sentence for the offense, which is 10 years and a $250,000 fine.

A pre-sentence investigation is expected to be completed by March 22. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. May 12.

His attorney, Peter Moses, said Skrepenak will make a statement when he is sentenced by Conaboy.

“It is now time to start to put this behind Gregory,” Moses said. “When the time is appropriate, he will express his thoughts from his heart to the court.”

Following standard procedure, Conaboy asked Skrepenak a series of questions in court to assess his background and make sure he understood the plea.

Skrepenak told the judge that he is not currently employed and lives on Insignia Drive with his three children. Skrepenak said he is divorced and has primary custody of his children. He said he was physically and mentally well enough to enter the plea.

Skrepenak owns a town house in Insignia Point, another project that was developed by Trombetta and Albert.

In addition to the sentence, Skrepenak will lose his right to possess a firearm, vote, hold public office and serve on a jury.

As part of the plea agreement, Skrepenak has agreed to cooperate with authorities.

“Complete and truthful cooperation” is a “material condition” of his plea agreement with the federal government, the agreement says.

In addition to providing information about criminal activity and submitting to interviews with investigators, Skrepenak must testify “fully and truthfully” before any grand juries or in other court proceedings or trials if the federal government deems his testimony “relevant,” the agreement says.

He must also agree to testify, if required, after he is sentenced, the agreement says.

Skrepenak is among 23 people who have been charged in connection with the ongoing federal probe into county corruption. A few of the defendants were Skrepenak’s allies.

Skrepenak was a political newcomer when he was first elected commissioner in 2003.

At a January 2004 courthouse swearing-in ceremony that attracted hundreds, including some political dignitaries, Skrepenak urged the audience to “feel proud to love Luzerne County again.”

“Tonight is a historical event,” Skrepenak said then. “It marks the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. It is the time the new generation rightfully takes its place as the leaders of the community.”

Though he faced harsh public criticism for questionable debit card spending and approving a $58 million juvenile detention center lease, Skrepenak convinced voters to elect him for a second term in November 2007.

His Democratic majority alliance with Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla fell apart before she took office in January 2008.

Petrilla, who was the top vote-getter, replaced Skrepenak as board chairperson and often voted with Republican minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban.

County judges last month appointed Thomas Cooney to serve the rest of Skrepenak’s term through 2011.

Skrepenak had portrayed himself as a political leader who would never use the power of his office for personal gain. He repeatedly denied that he had committed any crime until the day he resigned.

“In my mind I don’t believe I did anything wrong,” Skrepenak said in a November interview.