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Pocono News Section
Lackawanna Corruption Probe Announcement Tuesday
Lackawanna Corruption Probe Announcement Tuesday - Monday, March 15, 2010 at 04:09AM EST
Reported by: Eyewitness News
Monday March 15 2010
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- The U. S. Attorney's office has scheduled a 2:00 press conference Tuesday afternoon to brief the media on "developments in a public corruption probe in Lackawanna County." The briefing will include members of the U. S. Attorney's office, the FBI and the IRS.
The last time these three groups came together for a press conference was January, 2009 when indictments were announced against Luzerne County ex-judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan for their part in a kids-for-cash juvenile detention scheme.
The I-Team told you late last year that the corruption probe appeared to be shifting from Luzerne County into Lackawanna County. Rumors have been swirling for months about possible indictments involving former Lackawanna County Commissioner Bob Cordaro.
Eyewitness News I-Team Lead Investigator Andy Mehalshick spoke with Cordaro's attorney, William Costopoulos, in mid-February. He said then he expected his client to be charged within several weeks. The I-Team also spoke with Cordaro Monday afternoon. When asked about possible charges, he responded, "I have no idea. I haven't heard anything."
A month earlier on January 20th, Commissioner A. J. Munchak was interviewed by the FBI. Upon leaving the federal courthouse that day his attorney told reporters that he did not expect any charges against his client, but did say that Munchak was one of several people interviewed by the FBI.
The I-Team also confirmed that the FBI subpoenaed records pertaining to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport's terminal renovation and from PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Cordaro was a big part of both the $45-million dollar airport project and was the lead negotiator in bringing the Yankees organization to Northeast PA. The FBI was also looking at renovations done at the Lackawanna County Courthouse.
The corruption probe, which began in Luzerne County in 2008, has now expanded into Lackawanna County. We're expecting to learn the latest on that part of the investigation Tuesday afternoon.
Of course check back with PAHomePage. com and Eyewitness News for the latest as we get it. | | |
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