Geisinger today appointed its interim president and CEO, Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D., to the full position, according to an announcement.
Ryu has been in Geisinger’s top position on an interim basis since November when the company’s previous president, David T. Feinberg, M.D., MBA, left for a leadership role in Google.
Previously, Ryu has been Geisinger’s executive vice president and chief medical officer since 2016.
Check back for updates.
SCRANTON — The County of Lackawanna Transit System decided against doing its annual Dump the Pump Day this year.
COLTS spokeswoman Gretchen Wintermantel said the agency decided against offering free rides today partly because the American Public Transportation Association, which developed and promoted the annual event, stopped this year.
COLTS also faces a funding crisis because of a threat to its state shared-ride program funding and no increase in its other state funding, caused by a pending lawsuit involving the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Wintermantel said.
Dump the Pump offered free rides one June day a year to encourage people who usually drive to work to try the bus. COLTS did it for nine of the 10 years the national association did it.
The Luzerne County Transportation Authority continued the tradition today.
— BORYS KRAWCZENIUK
A Luzerne County native who posed semi-nude with American flags and guns in an effort to drum up support for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired from her teaching job in Connecticut because of her political beliefs.
Chelsy Zelasko, 27, of Shavertown, alleges her employer, Grove School of Madison, Connecticut, fired her earlier this year after discovering her participation in a photo shoot for the Scranton-based website Better Than the Weekend.
The revealing photos depict a naked Zelasko draped in American flags and wielding pistols and an assault rifle. The accompanying article, “Female Trump Supporter Gets Naked to Make America Great Again,” was published a week before the 2016 election and says Zelasko is a registered Democrat who supported Trump in part because she believed he would protect the right to bear arms.
“I’m posing in what I consider to be a beautiful art form to show gratitude for the beautiful art form that is our democracy,” the article quotes Zelasko as saying. “Being able to vote for your leader is a big deal. The media has made this election out to be like a cage fight, but the concept of voting for your president is beautiful and empowering, and that’s why I’m doing this, to remind people of that.”
According to the lawsuit filed in New Haven, Connecticut, Zelasko got her job as an art teacher and counselor with Grove School this February. On April 3, Executive Director Peter Chorney called Zelasko saying he had just learned about the article.
Chorney asked her to resign, but Zelasko refused in an emailed response, according to the complaint.
“I am not going to resign for expressing my views that I believe in and exercising my constitutional rights,” the lawsuit quotes Zelasko as writing. “I don’t see how the views I express in these articles interfere with my ability to perform any of the functions of my job in any way, as I have been doing so without issue through the present.”
Chorney replied that the article had made Zelasko’s credibility a “major concern,” according to the suit.
“The issue is about role-modeling for emotionally fragile kids and holding oneself to a higher standard as an educator,” the complaint quotes Chorney as writing.
Zelasko received a termination letter April 5 in which Chorney cited the photo shoot, saying school officials had been unaware of the article’s existence when she was hired. Chorney wrote that while Zelasko had been a “capable teacher,” she could no longer work for the school and serve as a role model to the children.
“We viewed and read these postings and saw that some photos use assault weapons to cover your private parts,” Chorney wrote in the letter. “In one photo you are covering your breasts with American flags and sticking out your tongue.”
The complaint, filed by the Hartford, Connecticut-based law firm Cicchiello & Cicchiello, alleges school officials violated Zelasko’s First Amendment right to free speech by firing her for her “fervent support for then-candidate Donald J.. Trump.”
Zelasko, who attended Greater Nanticoke Area High School and Keystone College, is seeking reinstatement to her position as well as monetary damages.
Chorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment Thursday.
Scranton’s former zoning officer stole more than $1,400 in permit fees in April, city police said today.
John “Jack” Sweeney, 61, of 6 David Terrace, Scranton, took $7,120 in fees from an employee at Harvest, a marijuana dispensary on South Washington Avenue, bought money orders for $5,719 and did not return the other $1,401, according to an arrest affidavit.
Patrick Hinton, the city director of licensing, inspections and permits who was Sweeney’s boss, said the city found the money orders, made out to the city, on Sweeney’s desk in the last couple of weeks.
The city fired Sweeney on June 6.
Sweeney claimed then he was unaware of his firing and adamantly denied stealing any money.
However, Sweeney told police the money was stolen from his car, according to the arrest affidavit. He did not file a police report on the alleged theft from his car.
He told police he meant to report the theft to Hinton but never saw him or was never alone with him, the affidavit says.
Hinton said the city is reviewing records to see if any other instances of theft occurred.
Police charged Sweeney on Wednesday with two counts of theft and one count of receiving stolen property through a mailed summons. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. July 26.
Check back for updates.
Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter.
SCRANTON — The Scranton School District’s former fleet manager routinely overbilled taxpayers and charged the district for work on the personal vehicles of its employees, he admitted in court today.
Daniel Sansky, 68, of Cortez Road, Jefferson Twp., pleaded guilty to one felony count — theft by deception — and agreed to a plea deal that calls for six to 23½ months in Lackawanna County Prison, five years of probation, and $31,186 in restitution to the district.
“Did you sir, commit that crime?” Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle asked Sansky after Pennsylvania’s chief deputy attorney general described the actions.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sansky replied.
Sansky originally faced seven felony charges, including corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds, criminal conspiracy and theft by deception. Moyle accepted his guilty plea and is reviewing the terms of the plea deal.
If she does not accept the deal, Sansky can withdraw his guilty plea.
A statewide grand jury charged Sansky in September, with felonies related to overbilling and charging the district for work on the personal vehicles of at least a dozen employees or their family members, including the district’s former business manager, Gregg Sunday. Sunday pleaded guilty in March, to one felony charge — conflict of interest, restricted activities — for his role and received a sentence of three years of probation.
Sansky, through his Scranton auto body shop, Danny’s Auto Service, at 201 W. Elm St., overbilled and double-billed for work performed on district vehicles. For example, Sansky overbilled the district by $53,000 to put 114 tires on one garbage truck, a 2014 Mack Packmaster. It is unclear whether Sansky ever purchased the tires.
Invoices from 2009 through 2017, indicate that Sansky billed the district for at least $785,195. Prior to 2014, Sansky rarely provided itemized invoices, and the district was not able to locate records for invoices before Dec. 27, 2008. Investigators claim Sansky worked with Sunday to submit invoices that the district never verified.
Sansky’s plea comes as the attorney general’s office continues to investigate the district. The investigation focuses on thefts committed against the district, said Erik L. Olsen, Pennsylvania chief deputy attorney general.
Check back for updates.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter
A Scranton man recovering from point blank shotgun blast to the head still has a long road to fully recover.
Len Floyd has gone through nine surgeries since he was injured April 25 and still has at least a year’s worth of procedures to go through, said his grandmother, Edie Lavelle.
“He’s nowhere near out of the woods,” Lavelle said.
Floyd, 20, was seriously wounded when 33-year-old Zodi Oprisko fired a shotgun into the car Floyd was riding in near Mifflin Avenue and Linden Street, police said. Authorities described Oprisko, of Plains Twp., as an armed and dangerous person who went on a rampage of random violence. He faces a number of felony counts, including attempted homicide.
Floyd spent roughly one week at Geisinger Community Medical Center before he was allowed to go home.
It was short lived. Floyd’s white blood cell count shot up before long. He went to a hospital trauma center for another nine days, then to Allied Services. He’s been there ever since.
Floyd has two more surgeries coming up in July and then a third in August. Once those are done, his family hopes the worst of it will be behind him.
Floyd has moments of frustration and annoyance, Lavelle said. Still, he stays optimistic as his recovery continues.
Meanwhile, Oprisko’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. July 16.
Oprisko’s attorney, William Thompson, said his client deals with severe mental health issues and has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
“I think that’s the driving force here and we’re pursuing those avenues to see what type of impact that has on this incident,” Thompson said.
Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell anticipates Oprisko’s mental health will be raised as a defense and will seek to challenge it.
There are many criminal defendants who have mental health issues, he said, but what matters is “whether they know right from wrong.”
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, 570-348-9144; @jkohutTT on Twitter
DUPONT — Friends, family and colleagues gathered Thursday to remember retired U.S. District Judge Edwin Kosik at a simple funeral mass that reflected the humility with which he led his life.
There were no long speeches touting his many accomplishments as a judge, attorney, U.S. Army veteran and family man. That’s precisely how Kosik wanted it.
“It was his specific written instructions,” his son, Michael Kosik, said following the funeral mass at the Holy Mother of Sorrows Polish National Catholic Church. “He did not want any eulogy, any memorial ... It was simple and beautiful.”
Kosik, 94, died June 13 at the Highland Park Senior Living Center in Wilkes-Barre Twp., where he resided.
Born in Dupont, Kosik served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes College in 1949, and a law degree from Dickinson Law School in 1951. He practiced law until 1969, when he was elected as a Lackawanna County judge. He held that position until 1986, when he was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He assumed senior status in 1996, and continued to work daily until health problems forced him to retire in February 2017.
About 100 mourners attended the hour-long mass that opened with a vocalist’s searing rendition of “Ave Maria,” one of his favorite songs. A photo of Kosik and a wooden box containing his ashes lay on a table at the end of the church’s center aisle, surrounded by a small flower display. A folded American flag rested against the box. Following the service, his ashes were transported to the parish cemetery for a private committal service with military honors attended by immediate family and friends.
The Right Rev. Bernard Nowicki, Bishop of the Central Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church, presided over the mass. He was one of three speakers to eulogize Kosik, recalling him as a “guardian of justice.”
“He had a compelling passion to accomplish justice,” Nowicki said.
Kosik was also a devoted father to his son, Michael, and daughters, Carol and the late Barbara Kosik Whitaker, Nowicki said.
“While he is no longer with us, he is still among us,” Nowicki said. “He lives on in the lives of his beloved family.”
The Very Rev. Zbigniew Dawid,pastor of Holy Mother of Sorrows, recalled Kosik’s friendly nature, noting how he always made sure to shake his hand and exchange pleasantries at Sunday services.
The Most Rev. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church, extolled Kosik for his dedication to justice, responsibility and mercy.
“Let us be thankful for him taking up that mantle,” Mikovsky said.
Kosik was a lifelong member of the Holy Mother of Sorrows. Following the mass, fellow parishioners recalled his down-to-earth, good-hearted nature. He never let his stature as a federal judge go to his head, said Jan Cwikla, the church’s organist.
“He’d hand out chickens at the men’s chicken barbecue dinner,” Cwikla said. “You knew he was a judge. He didn’t have to be there. You don’t see that happen a lot.”
U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani, one of several federal judges who came to honor their friend and colleague, said he admired Kosik for his straight-forward, no-nonsense personality.
“He was among the most honest men I’ve ever come across in my life,” Mariani said following the service. “He was a classic person who said what he meant and meant what he said.”
Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter.
The seemingly unending rain has been rough on Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in Greenfield Twp., one of many local businesses hoping for drier days ahead.
After slogging through a rain-soaked 2018, Sleepy Hollow owner Mary Petrilak said revenue and total rounds of golf played there are down again this year because of wet weather. And while the course has a reputation for staying open as long as conditions allow, sometimes well into autumn and occasionally even later, Petrilak said rain has hampered what would otherwise be the busy season.
From the beginning of the year through Wednesday, 22.89 inches of precipitation fell on the area, about 6.46 inches more than normal, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said. The soggy stretch follows a record-breaking 2018, which was the wettest year ever in the region with 60.11 total inches of precipitation.
All that water has put a damper on seasonal businesses — and in some cases hurt their bottom lines.
Petrilak’s business depends largely on revenue from golf leagues that on several recent occasions have canceled amid unplayable conditions. The weather-related drop in golfers affects other elements of the business as well; fewer players mean fewer patrons at the course’s restaurant and bar, she said.
“We could have two or three relatively nice days and you think to yourself ‘everything will be better tomorrow,’ and then we get two days of thunderstorms and you’re back to square one,” Petrilak said. “The only consolation is the fact that you realize you’re not doing anything wrong. You just can’t control it.”
She’s far from the only local business owner frustrated by weeks of drizzles and downpours.
Michael Kravitsky, the owner of Larksville-based Grasshopper Lawns Inc., said wet conditions can make it impossible to use certain equipment on lawns without causing ruts and other damage, forcing the business to reschedule appointments. Wet weather also is conducive to weed growth and can hamper weed-control efforts, Kravitsky said.
“This is our 55th year in business and we never have seen rain like this,” he said, noting heavy rain can compact soil and make it more difficult for grass roots to grow.
Along with the other issues, Kravitsky said prolonged rain and moisture can keep roots from stretching deep into the soil, which makes them more susceptible to damage in the event of future droughts. Should a prolonged drought or dry spell occur now, “lawns are just going to burn up,” he said.
At Roba Family Farms in North Abington Twp., owner and farmer John Roba said wet weather has caused pumpkin plants to come up more slowly and required additional spraying of the apple crop. The farm is better suited to handle wet weather than some others thanks to investments in tile drainage, diversion ditches and the fact that most of the trees there are grown on raised beds, but Roba said regular rain still “makes it very difficult to get our work done.”
Roba said he feels particularly sorry for some dairy farmers who are dealing with low milk prices and two years of wet weather potentially hurting their ability to grow crops to feed their cows. Such farmers may be forced to buy feed elsewhere, making it even more difficult to make a profit, he said.
“Some of the old timers would say ‘A dry year will scare you to death, but a wet year will starve you to death,’” Roba said.
Prolonged wet conditions and regular rain also impacts the state Department of Transportation.
Because wet roads are slippery and hazardous for road crews, PennDOT spokesman James May said the department has delayed several weather-dependant projects. At the same time, lots of rain can create drainage problems and cause new damage, adding to the list of roads in need of repair.
“You now have to do the original work and the additional work,” May said. “Water is what does the most damage to roads.”
What the near future holds in terms of rainfall remains to be seen, though meteorologists don’t anticipate this summer to be quite as wet as last summer.
“We think rainfall can still be above normal, but just not quite as bad,” Kines said. “But boy if this trend keeps going, it’s going to be just as bad.”
Contact the writer:
jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9141;
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After an exhaustive search for its next leader, Geisinger picked its interim chief executive to officially take the job.
Dr. Jaewon Ryu, 45, an emergency room doctor by training and father of two daughters, 9 and 11, was named Geisinger’s president and chief executive officer Thursday.
Effective July 1, he’ll officially oversee the multibillion-dollar health system that serves 1.5 million patients in eastern and central Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Ryu joined Geisinger in 2016 as chief medical officer. He took the interim position in January when former chief executive Dr. David T. Feinberg embarked for a job as the head of Google Health.
Ryu is the health system’s seventh president and CEO.
Before Geisinger, he worked for Humana as president of integrated care delivery. He graduated from Yale University and earned law and medicine degrees from the University of Chicago.
He’s worked for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System and Kaiser Permanente among other high-profile posts.
“We had a very strong pool of candidates, and on the order of a dozen were involved at the level of oral interviews,” said John C. Bravman, Ph.D., chairman of the board of directors, during a Thursday press call.
Even fewer moved on to the final round. Finalists faced grueling interviews before no fewer than 50 people, Bravman said.
The health system would not disclose how much it’s paying Ryu, but a spokesman said the board’s compensation committee sets competitive wages, fitting for skills and responsibilities, across the organization.
Geisinger gave Feinberg a total compensation package of $3.6 million in 2017, according to the most recent public tax documents.
Ryu lauded initiatives launched by his predecessor, including the MyCode genetic research project and the Fresh Food Farmacy to help diabetic patients get access to healthy food.
He also touched on some new ones, including a program called 65 Forward, which will launch next month to significantly drop patient panels, the number of patients assigned to a care team, from the industry standard around 2,500 people.
The program is available only for seniors, who tend to have more chronic diseases.
“We will be capping the panels at 450,” he said. “If you’re one of those patients, you’re not competing with literally thousands of other patients to get the time and attention from the care team.”
Contact the writer:
joconnell@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131;
@jon_oc on Twitter
High notes
Volunteer Mikki Weiss was awarded by the Pike County commissioners for her work, time and effort devoted to establishing the Pike County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force.
“Without Mikki’s determination in forging strategic partnerships that have helped to drive the Task Force forward, we would not be where we are today,” said Commissioner Chairman Matthew Osterberg.
The Task Force began in 2014 and builds community awareness about tick-borne diseases through education, support and advocacy, according to the commissioner’s office.
Weiss’s accomplishments include formation of the Pike County Tick Borne Diseases (TBD) Task Force; formation of the nonprofit TBD Support Network; assistance in the creation of the TBD Task Force website; creation of the highly successful 2015 Tick Symposium; initiation of the countywide tick study; and assistance in the creation of the Wayne Memorial Hospital TBD Wellness Center.
For more details, visit www.pikepa.org/tick.html.
Super students
North Pocono students Joe Kessler and Keegan Napolitano were recognized for their accomplishments in April.
Joe, a Career Technology Center Lackawanna County student, won the state gold medal for individual welding. It was the first time in CTC/North Pocono history that a student won this competition. Joe will compete on the national level at the end of June in Louisville, Kentucky.
Keegan earned a scholarship at the annual University of Scranton Hayes Competition. He placed third overall on the Kane Test out of 260 students at the competition.
The Hayes Competition is a physics competition between 30 local teams based on the study of Physics and its applications to real-life scenarios, according to the school. The Kane Test is a rigorous college level physics exam.
Scouts honor
Local Girl Scouts, including Natalie Sandly, Emily Claps, Sarah Rabel, Elsa Bennie, Abby Marino, Aleah Vojack, Heather Davis, Hailey Cleveland, Josie Checho, Maddie Davis, Ella Mackrell, Miley Domski, Delaney Washo, Jeanne Prutisto, Liv Collura, Maddie Mecca and Karoline Yanchek completed their work for a Bronze Award.
In April, the scouts from Junior Troop 145, Archbald, collected donations for the Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center for the award. They also put on an Easter Extravaganza for the residents. The scouts created all the activities themselves.
Resident Jeanne Prutisto, who participated in the event, was involved with the troop for 40 years.
Archbald
Yard/garage sale: Archbald Borough holding its annual borough-wide, including Archbald, Eynon, Sturges and Nebraska sections of town, yard and garage sale, Saturday, July 6, 8 a.m.-noon; anyone wishing to participate may set up their residence on July 6. No registration is required.
Carbondale
Flea market: Trinity Church community flea market, 58 River St., Carbondale, July 13-14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., snack counter available, donations appreciated, vendors are welcome for $15/day. Contact/reservations/donations: 570-282-3620.
East Scranton
Monthly meeting: The Hill Neighborhood Association holding its monthly meeting Wednesday, June 26, 6 p.m., lower level of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Taylor Avenue and Ash Street, East Scranton.
Keyser Valley
Annual luncheon: Keyser Valley Seniors annual spring luncheon, Monday, 1 p.m., community center, games will follow short meeting.
Taylor
Bus trip: Taylor Community Library running a bus trip to “Frozen, the Broadway Musical,” Saturday, Sept. 14, bus leaves the library at 7:30 a.m., 710 S. Main St. Taylor, and departs NYC at 7 p.m., showtime at 2; $135/ticket, includes bus and show; reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, and are confirmed upon receipt of payment. Contact: 570-562-1234; no cancellations or refunds.
Wayne County
Cooking with herbs: Join local chef, Marcia Dunsmore, for “Cooking with Herbs,” cooking workshop detailing the types of herbs that pair best with certain foods, Wayne County Extension Office — cafeteria, 648 Park St., Suite E, Honesdale; in lieu of a fee, participants are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to the workshop, donations given to local food pantries. Information: https://extension.psu.edu/cooking-with-herbs.
Wilkes-Barre
Town hall: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center hosting community town hall, today, 5 p.m., VA Medical Center, 1111 East End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre; live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VAWilkesBarre/. Contact: William Klaips, 570-830-7042; william.klaips@va.gov.
CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham
rock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.
Super students
Student journalists from Delaware Valley High School attended the 19th annual Tom Bigler Journalism conference at Wilkes University.
Students Mary Quinn won first place in sports photography; Brenna Cavallaro placed first in layout and design; and Elizabeth Bobo placed second in sports writing.
Emma Garerra received an honorable mention award for sports photography and Gabby Lee for news photography.
The Del.Aware newspaper staff won the overall best publication award.
… The artwork of Marywood University students Betsy Kleinsasser and Elizabeth Hartman was selected for the prestigious Art of the State Exhibition at the Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg.
The work of Betsy, bachelor of fine arts, and Elizabeth, master of fine arts, are among 110 pieces that were selected from 2,000 works from artists across the state for an exhibition to be held Sunday through Sept. 8. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
Art of the State is an annual juried exhibition held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, according to Marywood.
Stars in stripes
For the third year in a row, Olyphant honored its hometown heroes by hanging flags with their names and photos throughout the borough.
Sgt. Daniel Telep Sr., who died in 2010, was a Marine during World War II and the Korean War. His flag was sponsored by his children, Dan Jr., Duane, John and Lauren Telep, and now hangs above his son’s PO3 Duane Telep on Lackawanna Avenue in the borough.
The flag for Duane, a Navy veteran from the Vietnam era, was sponsored by his wife, Sharon, and his daughters, Desiree, Dawn and Danielle.
Honoring the heroes would not be possible without Kim Onda Atkinson and her commitment to the endeavor.
June 21, 1979
Violence on interstates linked to trucker strike
Pennsylvania State Police investigated a series of attacks on truckers on the region’s interstate highways.
A trucker from North Carolina reported to state police in Dunmore that someone shot at his sleeper cab and the passenger-side door of his rig while he was driving on Route 380 near the Interstate 84 junction. A driver reported his rig was also shot at five times the evening of June 19 in that same area. In Bradford and Luzerne counties, troopers were investigating reports of rocks being thrown at tractor-trailers.
The attacks were believed to be related to a nationwide strike by independent truckers. Drivers were protesting rising fuel costs and regulations that they felt were affecting their business.
Pennsylvania was not the only state experiencing violence on the roads. Shootings were reported in nine other states. Some states were considering calling out the National Guard to protect gasoline tanker trucks.
Out and about
At the movies: “Rocky II” at the West Side; “Escape from Alcatraz” and “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” at the MidValley Drive-In; “The Main Event,” “Andy Warhol’s Young Dracula” and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” at the General Cinemas at Viewmont Mall; a triple feature of “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Convoy” and “Gone in 60 Seconds” at the Comerford Drive-In in Dupont; and “The China Syndrome” and “California Suite” at the Circle Drive-In.
At the clubs: “Phase IV” at the Kingswood in Clarks Summit; disco dancing with Joe Ghergo at Studio 5 Lounge at the After Five Supper Club; and disco dance lessons at the Times Square Disco in Eynon.
BRIAN FULTON, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.
DALLAS — Harveys Lake resident Robert Greco plans to turn a former deli into a food court called “Beavers Express.”
Uncle Tony’s restaurant will be the first to open 6 a.m. July 2 in the former Big Bellies Deli at 2925 Memorial Highway in Dallas, he said.
Tony and Katrina Fotiadis formerly operated Uncle Tony’s in Pittston and the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch food such as Philly cheese steaks, sandwiches, gyros, Greek salads, homemade soups and Greek spinach pie.
Greco said he took over the building about a year ago. The building previously was J&J Deli before it moved to a bigger location in Dallas.
Greco hopes to add more food options in phases and he said his plans involve adding a station that would include fried chicken, fish, ribs and macaroni and cheese; a pizza station and a station with coffee, espresso and hot chocolate. He also plans to sell gelato.
— DENISE ALLABAUGH
The chief federal prosecutor for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is firing back at allegations made by a former assistant U.S. attorney who claims ex-Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. was “railroaded” in his criminal case.
David Freed, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, on Thursday responded to claims made in a new book by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lorna Graham that the office committed “prosecutorial misconduct” in its pursuit of Ciavarella.
“I am aware of the allegations made by former AUSA Graham in her self-published book,” Freed said in a statement. “While I was not the United States Attorney at the time, I have reviewed the matter thoroughly and I am confident that the attorneys of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania followed the evidence, complied with the law and DOJ policy, and secured convictions appropriate for that evidence.”
Ciavarella and another former judge, Michael Conahan, were accused of accepting $2.8 million in exchange for funneling hundreds of juvenile defendants to for-profit detention centers built by wealthy developer Robert K. Mericle’s construction firm and operated by former local attorney Robert Powell.
Ciavarella, 69, is serving a 28-year sentence in federal prison, currently at Federal Correctional Institution at Ashland in Kentucky.
In her new book, Graham claims Ciavarella never jailed juveniles for cash, her former colleagues never proved such and the media universally mischaracterized what his criminal case was all about.
The book, “Presumption of Guilt: How The Kids For Cash Scandal Trampled Justice,” is described as the “inside story of how a judge was railroaded, a justice system failed miserably, guilty went free and the victimized had justice revoked.”
Ciavarella was initially convicted of 12 of 39 charges at trial. A federal judge later overturned three of the 12 convictions. The judge is slated to be retried on those charges, the most serious ones he faces.
Contact the writer:
bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com;
570-821-2055;
@cvbobkal on Twitter
EDWARDSVILLE — Wilkes-Barre General Hospital CEO Cornelio Catena denied rumors Thursday that the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center plans to purchase Commonwealth Health hospitals in the area.
“I’ve heard those rumors and for some reason, they continue to persist,” Catena commented after a board meeting at Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion. “Evidence that nothing is happening is that nothing has happened. We continue to invest in the facilities.”
Franklin, Tennessee-based Community Health Systems owns six hospitals in the region: Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Berwick Hospital Center, First Hospital in Kingston, Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, Regional Hospital of Scranton and Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Catena said if CHS planned to sell these hospitals, “They would not be investing what they’re investing.”
“We continue to invest in our facilities,” he said. “We continue to grow services. We continue to recruit doctors. We continue to expand the market. I think all those things would indicate to the casual observer that you’re not going to spend money on something that you’re going to turn around and sell.”
Catena said Wilkes-Barre General Hospital continues to be active with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as it expands its health plan offerings in the area, however.
The hospital signed a contract last year with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to provide in-network access to UPMC Health Plan members. The agreement applies to the UPMC Health Plan commercial and Medicaid products.
“We’re the only health provider in Northeastern Pennsylvania that is contracted with UPMC so they are coming and they’re selling their insurance in this area,” Catena said. “If you have UPMC health insurance, you have access to our facilities.”
Catena reviewed Wilkes-Barre General Hospital’s key accomplishments over the last year at Thursday’s board meeting.
Among the key statistics he highlighted from 2018, the hospital had more than 17,000 admissions, more than 53,000 emergency room visits and more than 1 million outpatient visits and performed more than 14,000 surgeries.
The hospital paid more than $4 million in property taxes and more than $149 million in salaries and wages in 2018 and invested more than $35 million in capital improvements.
In January, a $3.2 million Center for Advanced Endoscopy opened on the first floor of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The unit houses four procedure rooms and 11 recovery bays.
In May, an expansion was completed at the hospital’s Pittston medical campus with additional services including physical therapy, radiology, electrocardiography, echocardiography, mammography, ultrasound imaging and laboratory.
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital has acquired a physician practice consisting of orthopedic surgeons Drs. William Charlton, Johnny Hernandez, James Mattucci and Michael Raklewicz, and Catena said Commonwealth Health is looking to expand orthopedics in Scranton.
“Orthopedics is an area that we think has a bright future with our hospital and we look to continue to grow and expand that service,” he said.
Soon, he said Wilkes-Barre General Hospital officials will unveil a renovated obstetrics unit. The renovations are part of $40 million that Community Health Systems has committed to invest in an expansion and upgrade at the hospital, he said.
Contact the writer:
dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com;
570-821-2115;
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MARRIAGE LICENSES
■ Sarah Tessa Edwards and Raymond James Langendoerfer, both of Jefferson Twp.
■ Jeremy Scott Tokash and Maria Kathryn Genello, both of Scranton.
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
■ Ronald W. and Jennifer A. Williams to Frank J. and Jene L. Perna; a property at 8 Fairmont Circle, South Abington Twp., for $590,000.
■ John A. Murazzi Sr. and Martha Ann Murazzi Irrevocable Family Trust, by John A. Murazzi Jr., Scranton, to Yam Rai and Dil M. Sunar, Scranton; a property at 2400 S. Webster Ave., Scranton, for $174,900.
■ Alexander J. and Carol A. Lupinski, South Abington Twp., to Frank J. and Helen Conslato; a property at 14 Brookfield Circle, Unit 14, South Abington Twp., for $250,000.
■ LSF9 Master Participation Trust, by Hudson Homes Management LLC, as attorney in fact, by power of attorney, Irving, Texas, to Mayolo Perea Castillo and Isabel Cazares Rodriguez, Scranton; a property at 1415 Luzerne St., Scranton, for $29,000.
DIVORCE SOUGHT
■ Roseanna M. Laskowski, Jessup, v. John F. Laskowski, Olyphant; married Nov. 21, 2009, in Scranton; Carrie A. Buscarini, attorney.
LAWSUITS
■ Vickie McCormick, 4217 Birney Ave., Moosic, v. Albert and Carol Mueller, trading as McDonald’s, 411 S. Main St., Old Forge, seeking an amount in excess of $50,000, for injuries suffered on the defendants’ premises on or about Aug. 7, 2017; Christopher T. Powell Jr., attorney.
■ Matthew and Kimberly Schmidt, 1517 Olive St., Scranton, v. Chetan M. Bhaidas and Khyati Modi, 200 Stafford Ave., Scranton, seeking an amount in excess of the amount requiring compulsory arbitration thereof, plus interests and costs of suit, and any other relief the honorable court may deem just and reasonable, on two counts, for injuries suffered by the plaintiffs on the defendants’ rented property, at 838 Wheeler Ave., Apt. 3, Scranton, on Aug. 11, 2018; Matthew and Arianne Slocum, attorneys.
ESTATES FILED
■ Patricia A. Janiszewski, 1004 Drinker Turnpike, Covington Twp., letters testamentary to Roseann Hansen, 82 Main St., P.O. Box 864, Gouldsboro.
■ Helen J. Batluck, 1238 N. Sumner Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Georgiann Batluck, 9315 Copernicus Drive, Lanham, Md.
ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts
Jessup
Reunion meeting: Jessup High School class of 1959 planning meeting for its 60th class reunion, Wednesday, June 26, 7 p.m., Jessup American Legion Post 411.
Ledgedale
Tricky tray: Ledgedale Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary tricky tray and treats, Saturday, Aug. 3, fire house, Goose Pond Road, doors open, 5 p.m., calling starts, 6:15, $8 entrance fee includes homemade treats, drinks and a starter strip of tickets.
Milford
Alzheimer’s presentation: Belle Reve Senior Living Alzheimer’s educational series presentation, Thursday, July 11, 5 p.m., guest speaker: Angela Tullo from Compassionate Care Hospice, free, complimentary dinner is available; 570-409-9191 by Monday, July 8.
Pittston
Variety bingo: Pittston Memorial Library variety bingo, Saturday, 10 a.m., 10 games plus a cover all game; 570-654-9565.
Scranton
Story hour: St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church is hosting “Journey’s With Jesus,” an ongoing Bible story hour featuring arts and crafts, 425 Jefferson Ave., activities for preschool children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult, first session, Wednesday, July 24, 10:30 a.m., featuring “Christmas in July,” second session, Wednesday, Aug. 28, program will continue fourth Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. each month, free, pre-registration required for each session; church office, 570-342-1000.
West Scranton
Birthday party: West Scranton High School class of 1967 will hold a 70th birthday party, Saturday, Oct. 19, Arcaro and Genell Restaurant, Old Forge, $40 for buffet dinner, beer and wine cocktail hour and DJ, all classmates and spouses/significant others are invited; Facebook page WSHS Class of 1967 or Diane Kwiatek Linnen, dilinnen@gmail.com; remit checks to Jo Ann Boyko Hallesky, 144 Koehler Road, Scott Twp., PA 18447, by Sunday, Sept. 1.
CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham
rock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.
PLAINS TWP.
The first concert in Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Party on the Patio series scheduled for Thursday was postponed due to expected inclement weather, casino officials announced.
The concert featuring Bon Jovi tribute band 7800 Fahrenheit has been rescheduled for Sept. 5 at the Plains Twp. casino.
— STAFF REPORT
Fired Scranton zoning officer John “Jack” Sweeney blamed more than $1,400 in missing city building permit fees on a theft from his car.
But police say Sweeney didn’t mention the missing money to anyone for a month, and not until someone asked.
They say that and other evidence shows Sweeney, 61, 6 David Terrace, stole $1,401 in April. Detective Dina Albanesi charged him Wednesday through a mailed summons with two counts of theft and one count of receiving stolen property.
The city fired Sweeney on June 6. At the time, Sweeney claimed he knew nothing of his firing and adamantly denied stealing any money.
Sweeney said Thursday the case is “totally bogus” and he plans to sue the city.
“I look forward to clearing my name,”
he said. “I look forward to proving my
innocence.”
Chris Cullen, Sweeney’s lawyer, said the whole matter could have been cleared up if city officials showed up for a June 14 termination hearing that they canceled without telling Sweeney beforehand. Cullen said he and Sweeney waited two hours at City Hall before learning the hearing was canceled.
“No money’s missing,” Cullen said. “This whole thing could have been resolved.”
Efforts to reach city solicitor Jessica Eskra and Human Resources Director Danielle Kennedy were unsuccessful Thursday.
City officials learned about the theft in late May when someone came to the city Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits looking for a building permit for Harvest, a marijuana and cannabis products dispensary planning to open on South Washington Avenue, according to an arrest affidavit.
Department director Patrick Hinton asked Sweeney about the permit.
Sweeney told Hinton he never issued Harvest any permits. He was “still waiting for Harvest for to give him another money order” to cover the permits’ $7,120 cost “because Harvest lost one of the money orders,” according to the affidavit.
Hinton called dispensary employee Jeff Schmidt, who told him he paid Sweeney in cash for the permits and had all the permits, according to the affidavit.
Hinton told Schmidt he never signed the permits so they aren’t legitimate and confronted Sweeney, who admitted Schmidt gave him cash for permits. He bought money orders so the cash wouldn’t be stolen, he told Hinton, according to the affidavit.
“Sweeney is not authorized to take money for permits outside of the office and is not authorized to get money orders for cash,” the affidavit says.
Other evidence cited in the affidavit shows there was more to the story.
Schmidt told Albanesi that Sweeney notified him April 18, a Thursday, that the permits were ready. Schmidt asked if he could pay the $7,120 with a credit card.
The permits department does not accept credit cards, and Schmidt did not have checks.
Schmidt arranged to meet Sweeney outside City Hall and paid him in cash shortly after 5 p.m., according to the affidavit. That is after City Hall closes for the day, but Sweeney gave Schmidt the purported permits and even went back inside to get a permit he forgot, the affidavit says.
Sweeney told Albanesi he took the money after hours so Harvest could start its work. He put the money in his vehicle’s trunk. He claimed he didn’t take the money back to the licensing office because he did not have access after 4:30 p.m.
Sweeney said he felt uncomfortable holding that much money so he bought money orders, $5,719 worth, the next day, April 19, a Friday, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit does not say why Sweeney could not turn in the money Friday.
He told Albanesi “he only bought the amount in money orders he could without having to sign the form for the IRS.”
He said he planned to get the remaining money orders Monday, April 22, according to the affidavit. He said he put the remaining cash, $1,401, on the front seat of his vehicle that day and when he returned the money was gone.
“Sweeney returned to work April 23, 2019,” Albanesi wrote. “He brought in the money orders and copies of the permits. He didn’t tell anyone what happened.”
Sweeney told Albanesi he wanted to tell Hinton, but either never saw him or was never alone with him.
Sweeney never told anyone about what happened until the week of May 23, according to the affidavit. He never returned the $1,401, investigators said, and never told Hinton, who told police he was in the office April 18 when Sweeney gave Schmidt the permits.
“Sweeney never informed him that he was going outside to give permits to Schmidt,” the affidavit says.
Hinton said Thursday the money orders, made out to the city, were found in or on Sweeney’s desk in the last two weeks. He said the city is reviewing records to see if any other instances of theft occurred.
Sweeney’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. July 26.
Contact the writer:
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570-348-9147;
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