Felon elected to Pa. city council wants seat


January 12, 2012 at 8:42a.m.

Felon elected to Pa. city council wants seat

NEW CASTLE, Pa. (AP) — A convicted felon elected to a western Pennsylvania city council says he’ll fight for his seat despite a petition to keep him out of office.

Gary Mitchell says he never tried to hide his decade-old drug conviction leading up to November’s election. But now an emergency petition is keeping him from being sworn in.

Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa filed a petition in December to keep Mitchell from assuming his seat, calling the convictions “infamous crimes” that bar him from holding office.

Mitchell tells WTAE-TV says he was allowed to run and elected by the voters, so he should be allowed to take office now that he’s turned his life around.

Lamancusa told the New Castle News last month Mitchell is selflessly dedicated to his community, but he’s responsible for enforcing the law.

A hearing is set for Friday.