Federal Investigation of Schools

April 23, 2009

FBI probe extends to schools

Feds obtain records, start interviews in W-B Area School District, Wilkes-Barre Area Vo-Tech.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, already probing corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse, is now investigating the Wilkes-Barre+Area+School+District%22>Wilkes-Barre Area School District and Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School, school officials say.

Wilkes-Barre Area School District Superintendent Jeff Namey verified Thursday that the FBI is investigating the district and has subpoenaed records, including school board meeting minutes. Namey said he cannot comment further.

“There is federal activity, but people need to understand that I’m directed to say no comment,” Namey said.

The FBI on Thursday also requested a list of the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical Joint Operating Committee board members since 2005, said attorney Jack Dean, who provides legal assistance for the school.

Dean said the information was supplied, and he stressed that the request was not in the form of a subpoena.

Two well-placed sources said federal investigators have also started interviewing teachers in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. This development has prompted the Wilkes-Barre Area Education Association to discuss the retention of legal counsel, one of the sources said.

Association President Jeff Ney said Thursday that he has no comment.

Namey said he can’t comment on any interviewing of teachers.

Wilkes-Barre Area School Board President Jim Height, who also serves on the vocational-technical board, said he’s heard that at least one teacher has been interviewed at the district’s Solomon/Plains school, but he did not personally verify that.

“There are rumors all over the place,” Height said.

An FBI spokesman said the agency can’t confirm or deny pending investigations.

The county courthouse corruption probe has brought down five county officials to date.

Former judges Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella pleaded guilty for accepting $2.6 million in exchange for actions that led to the county’s use of two privately owned PA Child Care juvenile detention centers.

Sandra Brulo, a former county probation official, pleaded guilty to an obstruction of justice charge and agreed to cooperate with investigators.

William Sharkey, former court administrator, pleaded guilty to stealing $70,000 in illegal gambling proceeds that were supposed to be turned over to the county treasurer.

Jill Moran resigned from the county prothonotary seat she’s held for seven years because of an agreement with federal prosecutors. The stipulation requires her to provide complete and full cooperation in the investigation into alleged fraud at the courthouse.

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

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