Pocono News Section

Debit Card Issue Continues

Debit Card Issue Continues - Thursday, December 6, 2007 at 6:27PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 @06:27pm EST
((WILKES-BARRE, Luzerne County) -

Luzerne County’s debit card holders have until Friday to submit receipts or reimburse the county in cash. The debit card debacle continues.

Reporter Jill Konopka asks, “Are all your purchases on your debit card legit? County Manager Sam Guesto responds, ‘Absolutely.’” Ven luzerne county leaders, including county manager sam guesto have until friday to turn in receipts for any legitimate purchases they made on county issued debit cards.

Guesto spent $3,630.00 over 21 months.. Guesto added, "I had receipts for all of them." No receipts means the county debit card holders will have to make full restitution... Guesto, “I submitted every penny except for lodging and other related expenses and registration fees for conference." All of this stems from thousands racked up on county debit cards with no paper trail, according to County Controller Maryanne Petrilla.

Tax payers became enraged after learning Deputy Prison Warden Sam Hyder used his county debit card to buy an expensive dinner in Las Vegas and a round of drinks at a Sin City Strip Club. Hyder dropped off his county car, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe on Wednesday.

WBRE News went to his home to ask why, but Hyder wasn't there Reporter Jill Konopka asks, "Do you think Sam Hyder should resign? Sam Guesto responded, “I can't answer that." Jill Konopka asks Commissioner Rose Tuecker, "Do you think Sam Hyder should step down?”

Commissioner Tucker responded, “I really don't have jurisdiction over that." Prison Warden Gene Fischi and Deputy Warden Sam Hyder met behind closed doors here at the prison. Fischi said he wouldn't comment on their meeting." Tucker added, "I know Sam Hyder does a tremendous job at the prison." County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak is also under fire, for failing to submit receipts from his county issued debit card. Jill Konopka asks “Do you think Greg Skrepenak should be reprimanded for this?”

Rose Tucker added, "I think everybody needs to be reprimanded." Sam Guesto admits the county policy on debit card spending needs to be reviewed, But for now, Guesto responded, "I'm asking for mercy from the taxpayers on the administration and card holders."

The Luzerne County Prison Board meets every third Monday of the month at 9:15. Board Member Wister Yuhas declined comment today, but told me over the phone quote "I think Sammy (Hyder) made a mistake using the debit card and we're going to discuss that in an executive meeting,” That Wister says will happen before the Prison Board meets on December 17th."