Pocono News Section

Wayne County vets conned

Wayne County vets conned - Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 4:31PM EST

Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008 @ 04:31pm EST

He served his country then police say he served himself to thousands of dollars intended for fellow veterans.

60 year old John Visci, of Hawley is a former member of American Legion post 254 in Honesdale.

He was arrested Monday night in California .

Investigators say he stole money from the legion, and used it to pay for child support, car repairs, and a trip to Cali .

To post 254 first vice Commander Bernie Harvey the alleged theft was a stab in the back.

"We trusted the guy, and he let us down it really hurt because you know, he was a fellow veteran, he was a marine like I am," says Harvey .

Visci allegedly swindled 29 thousand dollars from post 254 then bolted to California .

Police say the money was stolen from March 2006 through last November.

The stolen cash would have been used for scholarships and community projects.

Police say Visci stole from his fellow serviceman in more than one way.

Visci led the Wayne county veterans center committee, raising about a thousand dollars. Money that was supposed to be used to find a building so veterans could gather and hold meetings.

Police say Visci apparently took off with that money too.

Investigators used his internet I-P address to nail down his location in California .

Wayne county district attorney Michael Lehutsky says Visci was living comfortably, with a woman who had no idea he was a fugitive.

"We are pleased that it moved quickly. From our standpoint it certainly was a priority to track Mr. Visci down. He's accused of victimizing our veterans here in the county and we took that seriously," says Lehutsky.

Now Visci's sitting in a California jail cell.

Lehutsky says his office is working to bring him back to Wayne county.

Harvey says his legion post is waiting for that day.