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More Money Troubles Surround Luzerne County

More Money Troubles Surround Luzerne County - Monday, March 24, 2008 at 10:44PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Monday, Mar 24, 2008 @10:44pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Government leaders are finding themselves in hot water over money yet again. This time bidding practices at the jail, or lack of them, are at the center of controversy.

Despite a state of emergency over produce and non-perishables at the Luzerne County jail, county leaders are forging ahead with new policy.

Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla said, “When you declare a state of emergency, you don't have to bid at all, but we are to just take that extra step and at least get three quotes from area vendors.”

That extra step comes after news learned last week - the county engaged in contracts that were never bid - contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to supply produce and non-perishables for the prison, by way of alleged friendships.

“It's my understanding sometime in 2004, the bidding practice had ceased,” said Petrilla.

At an emergency prison board meeting, it was suggested bids were never entertained because of fluctuations in produce prices. Prison Warden Gene Fischi said, “I believe it'll be easier for all of us, anything that we get in that prison, from soup to nuts, will be bid.”

This development is the latest in a string of questionable practices at the county level, from debit card spending to questions over transparency. Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla was asked about the seemingly high number of ongoing internal investigations. “If we identify a problem, we fix it, as that goes on, that's what we'll do, we'll fix the problems, we'll move forward,” she said.

An internal investigation is underway and the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office is also looking into the prison contract bidding practice.
 


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