Commissioners seeking to withhold Felasco's pay
They had wanted to lock his checks in a safe.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA STAFF
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners now plan to ask a judge if they can withhold the county treasurer's paycheck.
Commissioner Dan Vogler said they met Thursday morning with county Solicitor John Hodge, who recommended the commissioners seek a declaratory judgment in common pleas court.
Commissioners have been wrangling over Treasurer Gary Felasco's paycheck since his arrest on embezzlement and theft charges in early September. They decided Sept. 8 to put Felasco's pay in an escrow account pending the outcome of the criminal charges.
Struggle
After Felasco threatened a civil rights lawsuit against the county, Controller Mary Ann Reiter told commissioners she would start issuing Felasco's paychecks until she received a court order telling her not to.
Commissioners met Wednesday with Reiter and county District Attorney Matthew Mangino to talk about the issue, and at the conclusion of that meeting, commissioners decided they simply would not sign Felasco's checks and would put them in a safe to prevent him from receiving them.
Apparently, their solicitor nixed that idea.
"Throughout this whole process, I've made my decision based on the advice of the solicitor," Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said Thursday.
Hodge said this is the only way to resolve the matter.
Controller Mary Ann Reiter said she is pleased with the decision.
"It's about time. They should have done this a long time ago," she said.
Hodge said the petition should be filed by today, and a hearing date will be set.
cioffi@vindy.com