Pocono News Section

Taxpayers Call County Contracts into Question

Taxpayers Call County Contracts into Question - Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 4:55PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009 @ 04:55pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The Luzerne County commissioners will now review all contracts signed with the county. The decision was made after questions about the handling of a contract with former Human Resources Manager Doug Richards.

The FBI removed records from RichardsÕ office last week. That was the same day the commissioners fired him.

The county solicitor says the RichardsÕ case is an example of "county contracts out of control.Ó And today tempers flared when taxpayers came looking for answers.

Anger, confusion and lots of questions as taxpayers want to know how any contract could have been signed without the knowledge of the county commissioners.

That appears to be the case with former Human Resources Manager Doug Richards. He signed a deal several years ago with a New York company, Continental Consultants, to manage workers for flood clean-up.

The contract was signed, sealed and delivered without commissioners approval. The company was paid more than $800,000 from 2007 to 2008.

The contract came to light last week when Richards, according to commissioners , did not answer their questions. They then fired him.

Several hours later we saw FBI agents taking records out of RichardsÕ office. Today taxpayers demanded answers.

Commission Chairperson Maryanne Petrilla insists the old ways of doing things are over. "Everything is under scrutiny. Any contract that comes is questioned. There are many out there. We're looking into them. They're being questioned and will be until we have all the answers. I'm tired of it."

The county now wants to review all contracts. That was not the case before January of 2009. County officials can no longer act independently. They now need approval from the commissioners.