Pocono News Section

Indicted Commissioner Will Not Resign

Indicted Commissioner Will Not Resign - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 04:01AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday March 16 2010
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SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Less than 30 minutes after federal officials announced that a federal grand jury indicted current Lackawanna County commissioner AJ Munchak and former commissioner Bob Cordaro, one of the suspects came out swinging.

Munchak faced the TV cameras at the Administration Building on Adams Avenue in an impromptu press conference. He read from a prepared statement saying he has no plans to resign.

"The chargesfiled against me today are without merit," Munchak said. "They are based on untrue allegations. I plan to vigorously defend myself against these allegations and I am confident that after a full and fair hearing of thefacts, the truth will prevail."

Prior to being charged, Munchak was interviewed by the FBI several times. The most recent was in January 2010. He said at that point he would not resign if indicted. He restated that committment on Tuesday.

"I will not resign. I will continue to serve as your commissioner," Munchak said.

Current majority commissioners MikeWasho and Corey O'Brien stated relatively silent about the charges Tuesday afternoon. They only released a three sentence statement. It said "what we learned today brings disappointment to our community."The statementwent on to say, "It would be inappropriate for us to comment any further."

Munchak was in his office as the indictments were unveiled. He may have been more shocked than anyone.

"I'm shocked. Shocked," Munchak said.

If convicted, Munchakcould face 193 years in prison and fines of more than $3 million. His former running mate, Bob Cordaro, faces a possible 364 years in prison and fines of $7.5 million.