Lawrence panel to accept LaGrotta’s resignation

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County commissioners expect to formally accept Frank LaGrotta’s resignation from the Lawrence County Housing Authority today.

Commissioners received a resignation letter Friday from LaGrotta, a former state representative from Ellwood City.

LaGrotta recently came under fire when a Pittsburgh newspaper reported that the Pennsylvania attorney general questioned LaGrotta about allegations he gave state jobs to his relatives and inflated their pay while a state lawmaker.

LaGrotta also told investigators the House Democratic caucus commonly used legislative staffers to perform partisan political work, according to the Associated Press.

LaGrotta’s term on the housing authority is due to expire at the end of 2008. He was appointed last year to fill the term of Donald “Ducky” Conti Jr. Conti was removed from the board by a common pleas court judge at the request of the county commissioners after pleading guilty to gambling charges.