Pocono News Section

19 Charged in Corruption Probe

19 Charged in Corruption Probe - Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 8:09PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 @ 08:09pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Eyewitness News broke the story Thursday morning that another person has been charged in the on-going corruption probe in Luzerne County.

Investigators said it's William Brace, 64, Luzerne County's former Deputy Clerk.

The F. B.I. said he took a bribe between 2007 and 2008 to make sure a contractor got work with the county.

They said Brace received a tailored, monogrammed suit by a company who's name has not yet been revealed.

The suit was valued at about $1,500.

Brace retired from his deputy clerk post in December of 2008 and now collects a pension.

He worked closely with Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Mary Ann Petrilla.

Petrilla said, "Well, I'm very sad and shocked, to be quite frank. I feel a little betrayed because we work so hard constantly to restore accountability to Luzerne County. It's very very disrespectful to me."

Brace is the 19th person nabbed by the F. B.I. in their county probe.