Pocono News Section

Federal Authorities Filing More Charges in Local Schools "Pay to Play" Scheme

Federal Authorities Filing More Charges in Local Schools "Pay to Play" Scheme - Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 3:26PM EST

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY- Federal authorities have filed more charges Thursday in the ongoing corruption probe in Luzerne County . This time against the superintendent of schools in Pittston. The FBI says Dr. Ross Scarantino took kickbacks in exchange for steering contracts within the district. The charges come just two days after the FBI seized records at the Pittston area school district. Dr. Ross Scarantio is in hot water for supposedly helping himself and a friend.

The FBI filed a complaint Thursday alleging that Scarantino took cash in connection with a contract awarded by the Pittston area school district. The kickback took place in February of 2008 according to the FBI.

T hose contracts were worth at least $5,000. The person who paid those kickbacks and also benefited has not been named. The FBI is not commenting on the case at this time.

In recent weeks the FBI has seized records from both Pittston and Wilkes-Barre area school districts.