Felasco asks to serve parole in Ohio

The former treasurer's wife and children live in Ohio.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County's former treasurer is asking to serve his parole in Ohio.
The Pennsylvania Office of the Victim Advocate has informed Lawrence County officials that Gary Felasco applied for a home plan in Ohio, and Felasco's request has been forwarded to Ohio for investigation.
Felasco was convicted last year of theft and embezzlement from the county treasury. After a weeklong trial he was sentenced to one to seven years in prison and ordered to pay more than 500,000 in restitution and fines.
Felasco was scheduled to have his first parole review sometime this month. Parole officials would not release the date of the review. As of Tuesday, no decision had been made.
Letters dated April 17, however, were sent to those listed as Felasco's victims informing them of his request to serve parole in Ohio. Written comments are being accepted on the matter until May 7, according to the letter.
Must meet conditions
Bob Bushey, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, said he could not comment specifically on Felasco's request, but said it's not uncommon for inmates to ask for parole in other states.
Bushey said a request for out-of-state parole will only be granted under certain conditions -- such as if a family member is living in the receiving state or if a job has been secured.
"They won't be accepted unless there is a bona fide reason," Bushey said.
All states are mandated to follow federal guidelines set up for interstate parole.
JoEllen Lyons, spokeswoman for the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, said there are currently 3,114 out-of-state inmates serving parole in Ohio.
The details Felasco gave for wanting to serve his parole in Ohio were not released, but court records show that his wife, Jeannine, is living in Ashtabula. The couple have two children.
Felasco had filed for divorce from his wife shortly after criminal investigators began looking into his office in 2004, but nothing has been filed on the matter since 2005, and the divorce was never finalized.
Ohio licensing records show that Jeannine Louise Felasco of Ashtabula is a licensed practical nurse in Ohio. Her state license to practice nursing was issued Aug. 3, 2006.
Felasco was convicted of stealing money from his Lawrence County office, which was used to pay his personal bills, cover bank overdrafts and pay cash for hotel rooms in West Middlesex, Pa.
cioffi@vindy.com