GREENVILLE, PA. Evidence of criminal activity is sought

County officials want to bring closure to a probe that began a year ago.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- The Mercer County district attorney and sheriff are giving Greenville residents one more chance to report evidence of criminal behavior by anyone associated with management of the borough over the last five years.
District Attorney James Epstein said Tuesday that he and Sheriff William Romine have assigned investigators to handle those allegations as they seek to bring closure to an investigation that began a year ago.
Greenville Borough Council asked for a probe of general allegations of wrongdoing after the municipality learned it was running a deficit of more than $1 million that left it rated as a financially distressed community by the state.
Epstein said the initial investigation was turned over to the Pennsylvania State Police Organized Crime Investigative Unit, which is nearly finished with its report.
The preliminary findings show that although there may have been "poor management" of borough finances, there wasn't any criminal activity, he said.
"Greenville has to move on," the district attorney said, explaining why he and Romine are giving those with evidence of wrongdoing a final opportunity to make their allegations known.
How to report
Between today and Sept. 19, people should call the courthouse at (724) 662-3800, Extensions 2518 or 2268, to relay their suspicions to investigators, Epstein said.
The calls won't be recorded and the identity of the callers will be kept confidential, he said, promising that any credible evidence of criminal activity will be pursued.
Epstein said he will evaluate all of the evidence gathered.
"If I conclude that we have sufficient evidence to convict someone of a crime, and that a prosecution is in the public interest, a criminal complaint will be filed and a prosecution will follow," he said.
If the evidence fails to support allegations of criminal activity, Epstein said he will make that fact known to the public as well.
There is a difference between poor management or unethical behavior and criminal activity, the district attorney said, adding that the latter must show there was personal enrichment behind decisions made regarding borough finances.
Two issues that have surfaced during the probe involve the transfer of recreational bond money into the general fund and using wage taxes collected on behalf of other municipalities to fund municipal operations, but neither is criminal, Epstein said.
Tapping the bond funds might be a breach of contract, and the tax is money collected on people who work in Greenville that is later turned over to their home municipalities.
Arrangements have been made to pay back that money. There was no personal diversion of funds in either case, he added.