Felasco's resignation relieves officials

Commissioners hope to name a new board member in about three weeks.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners say they were surprised by Treasurer Gary Felasco's resignation from the county housing authority board.
Commissioners received a written resignation from Felasco on Friday morning. It was delivered by the treasurer's office solicitor, Ed Leymarie.
"This gives us an opportunity to put a competent and honest individual on that board," Commissioner Dan Vogler said.
Commissioners have been trying to remove Felasco from the housing authority board since Felasco was charged last September with taking more than $40,000 from the county treasurer's office for personal use.
Felasco was found guilty of all charges at a May trial. He will be sentenced and removed as county treasurer Aug. 1.
A court hearing about the commissioners' request for Felasco's removal from the housing authority was slated for next Friday.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said Felasco's resignation was the best thing for all concerned.
"Three years ago I wrote him a letter telling him to resign," Fosnaught said Friday.
What's next
Fosnaught said he looks forward to replacing Felasco.
County ordinance requires commissioners to announce any vacancy on a board at two public meetings, and those interested must send letters or come to a public meeting to express their interest.
Commissioners received about 35 letters of interest last year after announcing they wanted to remove Felasco.
Commissioner Steve Craig said they hope to choose Felasco's replacement in about three weeks.
The housing authority board has been functioning with only four voting members since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended Felasco from the board Nov. 29 because of the criminal charges.
"It's been like a thorn in our side," said housing authority board member Donald Conti of Felasco's suspension.
Conti, who is known as Ducky, said Felasco did not inform him of his decision to resign.
Wife's involvement
Conti, who once described Felasco as his best friend, said the two have not spoken since before Felasco's trial where Conti's estranged wife, Gloria, was the chief prosecution witness.
She testified that Felasco threatened her job as deputy treasurer if she did not remove money from the county coffers and give it to him for personal use.
"It was only a matter of time for him to resign. He's probably trying to save face," Conti said.
"It will take part of the monkey off our backs at the housing authority," Conti said, referring to the commissioners' court action and recent federal investigations into the workings of the housing authority after a nonprofit offshoot, Affordable Housing of Lawrence County, disbanded after buying several rental properties far above their assessed values and taking out a $250,000 bank loan.
Commissioners have also filed suit to remove Conti from the housing board after he pleaded guilty to a gambling charge. Conti has said he will fight the action.
Felasco and his solicitor could not be reached Friday to comment.
cioffi@vindy.com