Housing board suspends official

Officials are checking whether Felasco can be permanently removed from the board.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Gary Felasco has been suspended from the Lawrence County Housing Authority board of directors.
A suspension letter, dated Nov. 29, was sent to Felasco by Margarita Maisonet, director of the Office of General Counsel's Departmental Enforcement Center for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD provides funding for the public housing authority.
Maisonet informed Felasco that his suspension was in effect until the outcome of criminal charges filed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.
Felasco, in his third term as Lawrence County treasurer, was arrested Sept. 7 by Pennsylvania State Police and charged with theft, embezzlement, misapplication of entrusted property and two counts of violating the state ethics code. He is accused of taking more than $40,000 from his office.
The criminal investigation began in 2004 after The Vindicator first reported that Felasco had not paid property taxes on his Cunningham Avenue home since 2000 and improper court stays were placed on the property, allowing it to avoid a tax sale for delinquents.
Felasco was immediately removed from his appointed post as county tax claim director by county commissioners, but he could not be removed from his elected post or his board position on the county housing authority.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler said he has asked the county solicitor to determine if commissioners can now go to court and ask that Felasco be formally removed from the housing authority board because of HUD's suspension.
County commissioners appoint members of the housing authority, but have no power over the board itself. The housing authority oversees public housing in the county.
Robert Evanick, housing authority executive director, could not be reached to comment.
Letter sent
But, according to HUD, Evanick was sent a letter explaining the effect of Felasco's suspension.
The letter states: "A suspended individual is prohibited from future participation in covered procurement and nonprocurement transactions as a participant or principal with HUD and throughout the Executive Branch of the Federal Government."
Lou Perotta, Lawrence County Housing Authority solicitor, said he received a copy of the letter Monday.
Perotta thinks the suspension covers most duties of a housing authority board member.
Perotta explained that procurement refers to contracts and nonprocurement would pertain to things such as the board adopting policies.
Perotta said he has not received any information from HUD concerning board member Donald Conti, who also faces criminal charges.
Conti is charged with illegal gambling devices and unlawful acts relative to liquor, alcohol and liquor licenses involving a private club that he and others operated. The club, Vita Nuova Club on East Washington Street, has been closed.
Felasco and his attorney, Ed Leymarie, could not be reached to comment Wednesday night.
It's unclear what will happen to the vacant position on the housing authority board. The board is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. today.
Felasco is permitted to contest his suspension within the next 30 days. According to the letter, HUD will not stay Felasco's suspension if he chooses to appeal.