Friday, February 27, 2004
More than $9,500 in property taxes is due.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County tax records show that Gary Felasco, the county's treasurer and director of the tax claim bureau, has not paid his real estate taxes since 2000.
Felasco was elected county treasurer in 1996 and took over the county tax claim office two years ago. He was also appointed to serve on the Lawrence County Housing Authority board of directors, which oversees all public housing in the county.
Tax claim records show that Felasco did not pay real estate taxes to the county, the city of New Castle or the New Castle Area School District on his home at 1311 Cunningham Ave. and three nearby lots in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He paid his 2003 county taxes, but no city or schools taxes that year, the records show.
Amount of debt
He owes more than $9,500 in taxes on the property, according to county records. It is owned by Felasco and his wife, Jeannine.
Felasco could not be reached Thursday despite numerous telephone calls and visits to his office.
County Solicitor John Hodge said county tax law requires a property where taxes have not been paid to be put up for the county's regular September tax sale after two years of nonpayment.
Felasco's property on Cunningham Avenue was not included in the county tax sale in 2002 or 2003.
County records show the property has a "court stay," but there is no record of any court action involving the property in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court.
A court stay means the property has been excluded from a tax sale.
Reasons for 'court stay'
Hodge said there are circumstances where a "court stay" can be placed on a property, including those involved in bankruptcy or divorce cases. The solicitor would not comment on Felasco's property taxes.
A check of the automated line of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District in Pittsburgh showed Felasco and his wife have not filed for bankruptcy protection.
To investigate
Lawrence County Commissioners Dan Vogler and Steve Craig said they have instructed Hodge to look into Felasco's property taxes.
"We've asked Mr. Hodge to look into this and we are awaiting his report back to us," Vogler said Thursday.
A check of tax records of other elected county officials show that county Commissioner Ed Fosnaught has not paid his 2003 school taxes, but has paid his township and county taxes. He lives in Slippery Rock Township.
"It's news to me," Fosnaught said Thursday. The commissioner said his wife, Pamela, pays their taxes and said they have been paid.
"I will check. If they haven't, I sure will pay them," Fosnaught said. County tax records show $916.80 is owed.
cioffi@vindy.com