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Two More Charged in Federal Probe

Two More Charged in Federal Probe - Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 8:22PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 @ 08:22pm EDT
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County- The on-going federal probe in Luzerne County now includes two more people facing charges.

Executive Director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority Allan Bellas, admitted to taking a bribe to help steer a contract.

Investigators said the bribe case began in late 2007.

They said Bellas met at the offices of the Redevelopment Authority with a yet unnamed contractor and a consultant.

The contractor and consultant wanted him to use his influence with a local township planning commission to secure a tax incentive for their project.

Then in 2008, they gave him $2,000 in cash.

Bellas' legal troubles became apparent last week when he called the chairman of the redevelopment authority saying he had to resigned because he was "in trouble."

The authority suspended him without pay on Tuesday.

Bellas is also the president of the Wyoming Valley West School Board. He was not at Wednesday's meeting.

As part of the guilty plea, he must also resign from the school board.

He has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the school district. T

he FBI took records form the district last summer.

Also, Harvey's Lake Businessman Richard Emanski was charged with installing carpet in the home of a yet unnamed Wilkes-Barre school board member.

In exchange, he was helped in getting a contract with the school district.

There are now 17 people charged in the federal probe in Luzerne County.

Both men face 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines if they're convicted.
 


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