Office moves on without Gary Felasco

The deputy treasurer has taken over Gary Felasco's duties.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- There is little trace left of Gary Felasco in the Lawrence County treasurer's office, but his legacy still looms.
Felasco, 39, was found guilty of theft and other charges on May 12 after a five-day trial in Venango County, Pa. Authorities say he took more than $40,000 from his office for personal use.
County officials say they have been told that Felasco will be formally removed from office upon conviction, but legally that doesn't take place until his sentencing on Aug. 1.
Until then, the county is left largely without an active treasurer.
After the verdict was read, Senior Visiting Judge Michael J. Wherry instructed Felasco not to enter his office unless accompanied by his attorney or the county sheriff.
Employees say he hasn't been in the government center since before his trial.
County commissioners say they weren't taking any chances of having him enter unescorted and had the locks changed on the office and signs bearing his name removed from outside the office.
Handling duties
Most of his duties now fall on Chief Deputy Treasurer Cathy Toscano.
Treasurer's office Solicitor Ed Leymarie said Toscano has authority to sign documents and checks in Felasco's absence -- something that had been in place long before Felasco's legal woes.
Leymarie noted that county checks less than $10,000 are automatically printed with a computer-generated version of Felasco's signature.
And it's apparently Toscano who will take over as acting treasurer when Felasco is formally removed from office. His regular term expires in December 2007 and a newly elected treasurer will take office.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler said the county has looked into the line of succession for the treasurer's office with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
He said there have been few instances of an elected official's being found guilty of a crime in office, but association members believe it should follow the same rule as when an elected official dies or resigns.
Gov. Ed Rendell may appoint a replacement and the state Senate must approve it, he said.
Examining Conti's role
While the matter of who takes over is in question, commissioners say they are still looking at Deputy Treasurer Gloria Conti's position.
Conti testified during the trial that she took money at Felasco's direction and paid his personal bills or handed him the cash. She was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony and remains in her job.
Commissioner Steve Craig said commissioners have ordered transcripts from the trial to determine exactly what Conti admitted on the stand.
"Even though she had immunity from prosecution, that doesn't guarantee employment," Craig said.
The county does have a personnel policy that requires dismissal for employee theft, but commissioners say they are not sure they have the authority to fire people from the treasurer's office.
"Apparently there is very little case law when it comes to situations like this," said Commissioner Dan Vogler. "The row officers are independently elected and the county commissioners are not the boss of the treasurer or his employees."
cioffi@vindy.com