LAWRENCE COUNTY Treasurer's workers called by grand jury

The treasurer said he has not been subpoenaed to testify.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- At least two additional employees of the Lawrence County treasurer's office were called to testify before a state grand jury in Pittsburgh this week.
Dan Grove, business representative for American Federation of State, Local and Municipal Employees, Local 2902, said treasurer's office employee Dorothea Fee called him Friday wanting to know if the union could supply her an attorney. She said she was calling for herself and another employee that Fee did not identify, Grove said.
Grove said Fee faxed him a copy of her state grand jury subpoena and he consulted the union's legal staff to determine if they could help.
Grove said the subpoena called for Fee to appear Wednesday in Pittsburgh before the state grand jury.
The labor union official said he later told Fee that the union could not supply her and the other employee with an attorney but did refer them to the union's legal services program that permits members to have a free consultation with an attorney in the area where the employee lives.
"Our legal team suggested she look at a criminal attorney if she was to use an attorney for this process. I understand they [the grand jury] are looking at something involving the treasurer," Grove said.
Deputy Treasurer Catherine Baker was to have appeared Tuesday before the state grand jury, said her attorney Phillip Clark Jr.
Clark could not be reached to comment Wednesday.
Treasurer Gary Felasco said Wednesday he did not know if any of his employees had been called to testify before a grand jury. His office was not fully staffed that day.
Baker had called in sick Wednesday, as did Marguerite Mooney, who had an emergency dental problem, Felasco said.
Felasco said Fee and Megan Caffro were both on vacation Wednesday.
Deputy Treasurer Gloria Conti and Felasco's mother, Helen, were the only two employees working. Both said they had not received subpoenas to testify before a grand jury.
The treasurer also said he had not received a subpoena.
"I want my staff to fully cooperate and tell the truth. I think as long as everyone continues to cooperate and tell the truth, I think the outcome will be a good one," Felasco said.
Pennsylvania State Police were called in earlier this year to investigate after county officials learned that Felasco had not paid property taxes on his Cunningham Avenue home since 2000.
An improper "court stay" was put on the property in the computer system, allowing it to escape the yearly tax sale.
Felasco has since paid his taxes, but he says he cannot explain how a court stay was put on his property. He was the director of the county tax claim bureau from 2000 to March 2004. That agency is in charge of collecting delinquent taxes and selling property for those who have not paid.
Nils Frederiksen, deputy press secretary for Pennsylvania Attorney General Jerry Pappert, said the office does not confirm or deny state grand jury proceedings.
He said state grand juries are investigative bodies that do not have the power to indict, or charge, a person like a federal grand jury does.
Fredericksen said state grand juries issue presentments of the evidence gathered and a recommendation that charges be filed to prosecutors.
According to information posted on the attorney general's Web site, state grand juries consist of 23 people and seven alternates who meet over several months and could hear numerous cases.