HUD informs treasurer of suspension from board

Gary Felasco's suspension concerns board members.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Housing Authority board of directors has instructed its solicitor to keep researching the suspension of board member Gary Felasco.
"If they can do this to him, they can do this to us," said board member Donald "Ducky" Conti, who describes himself as Felasco's best friend.
Felasco received notice in a letter date Nov. 29 that he was suspended from the board until the outcome of his criminal charges. Felasco, who is also the elected county treasurer, was arrested Sept. 7 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.
Officials of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, notified Felasco by letter that he'd been suspended. He has 30 days to appeal.
Expressing disapproval
Conti said after the meeting that he disagrees with HUD's action against Felasco.
"Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?" he said.
Jeff Scrim, a board member whose term ends this month, said he was also concerned by Felasco's suspension.
"My concern is they can go after Bob [Evanick, authority executive director] or Rob [Ratkovich, authority employee]. They are basing this on things done outside of HUD. What I'm saying is they shouldn't be able to do this to one of our employees," Scrim said.
Authority Solicitor Atty. Lou Perotta said he has found similar cases in other states where HUD has suspended employees and board members charged criminally, and they were eventually fired when convicted.
Felasco could not be reached to comment.
Perotta said the scope of Felasco's suspension is still unclear. He cannot participate in authority meetings. Perotta said he did not know if board members have any duties outside the meetings.
Evanick said board members do not receive pay for their work but can be reimbursed for travel expenses for things such as attending conferences. The letter states that Felasco is no longer permitted to receive any compensation from the authority, which derives all of its money through HUD. Evanick said Felasco is not owed any money through travel at this time.
cioffi@vindy.com