Pocono News Section

Scarantino and Height Plead Guilty

Scarantino and Height Plead Guilty - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:10PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Two former Luzerne County school district officials have plead guilty in connection with the ongoing Luzerne County corruption probe.
James Height, the former school board president in Wilkes-Barre, and Dr. Ross Scarantino, former Superintendent of Pittston Area School District, admitted to taking cash in a "pay to play scheme."

Height said nothing as he arrived at federal court in Scranton on Friday. But in court he said, "guilty your honor.” He admits to taking $2,000 to steer a contract in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

His lawyer says Height is remorseful. "He made a mistake, but unlike others in this case, he took responsibility and is sorry for what he did," said Joseph D’Andrea.

About an hour later, Dr. Ross Scarantino came to court and admitted to taking $5,000 to steer contract in the Pittston Area School District.

Both men face 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Courtroom observers like WILK radio talk show host Steve Corbett says Scarantino's plea was a bit different than Height’s. "You could tell Scarantino is a real player. He was a wheeler and a dealer. He was in a power position," said Corbett.

Scarantino was also Chairman of the Board at Luzerne County Community College. The F. B.I is now looking into contracts he dealt with at that school.