High notes

Doctor Michael Ratchford from the Scranton District Dental Society presented the consumers and staff of the Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania with a check for $500 during a thank- you pizza party hosted by the society.

The donation was the first of three to support the Arc for its continued dedication to assisting the SDDS with National Children’s Dental Health Month.

The society has partnered with the Arc for the past 17 years to prepare dental health bags for National Children’s Dental Health Month each February.

“Arc’s consumers are doing an amazing job filling approximately 8,000 educational bags with children’s coloring pages,

crayons, toothbrushes, McDonald’s coupons and toothpaste,” said Ratchford, SDDS board member.

The society is an education- and service-based organization of approximately 150 local member dentists, according to the organization. It is a constituency of the American Dental Association and the Pennsylvania Dental Association. The group oversees activities, including Children’s Dental Health Month, public education, school visitations and continuing education for dentists.

For details, visit www.scran

tondental.org.

Super students

Incoming members of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s MD class of 2023, Jude Polit-Moran of West Pittston and Kristen Richards of Pittston, have been named Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation scholars.

The scholarship significantly reduces their tuition burden. Both Jude and Kristen were selected for their academic excellence and a desire to serve the communities of Northeast Pennsylvania. This is the fifth year that two incoming medical students were selected as Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation Scholars.

Jude was born and raised in West Pittston and graduated from Wyoming Area Secondary Center and the University of Rochester.

Jude, a dedicated volunteer, found a passion for his volunteer work while assisting for the local Meals on Wheels program and a Care and Concern clinic during college breaks.

“The rich experiences I have had in health care and through hometown volunteer work helped to reaffirm my goal to one day practice medicine in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” he said.

Jude is interested in primary care, emergency medicine and radiology with aspirations to practice in Luzerne County, according to the medical school.

Kristen was born and raised in Pittston and graduated from Pittston Area High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where she majored in biological sciences with minors in chemistry and Spanish.

During school breaks, Kristen volunteered at the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic in Pittston and at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

“I am most interested in surgical specialties but look forward to experiencing all the opportunities available to me during my education at GCSOM before making my final decision,” she said, adding she hopes to practice medicine in the Northeast Pennsylvania community.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Tony Robert Shy and Jessica Lynn Belanger, both of Gouldsboro.

■ Christopher Lesnefsky, Archbald, and Michele Ann Wall, Scranton.

■ Lional Albert Edwards and Alyssa Marie Potter, both of Scranton.

■ Timothy E. Bryant and Jameisha R. Campbell, both of Scranton.

■ Kelsey Murphy, Scranton, and John C. McKenna, Netcong, N.J.

■ Jeffrey John Piazza and Ashley Marie Cesare, both of Old Forge.

■ Brandon Keith Foster and Giovanna Nicole Maiolo, both of Milford, Conn.

■ Leon William Wood and Nicole Lynn Speck, both of Old Forge.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Bridgette D. Gawrys and Ethan Cannella, Clarks Summit, to Juan P. Narvaez, Scranton; a property at 301-303 Aswell Court, Scranton, for $65,720.

■ Annette M. Rice, Waverly Twp., to William Scott and Anna Casey Lynett, Shavertown; a property at 110 Overlook Road, Waverly Twp., for $342,000.

■ Glenn R. Koch, Lackawanna County, to Shawn and Krystal Rowell, Lackawanna County; a property at 211 Dudley St., Dunmore, for $128,800.

■ Fricchione Family Partners LP to Volos Properties IV LLC; a property at 751 Enterprise Road, Throop, for $1,750,000.

■ A. Robert Saracino, executor of the estate of Regina Ann Saracino, to Craig Landri; a property at 318 S. Main St., Old Forge, for $120,443.

■ Mari Hoban Emmi, also known as Mariann H. Emmi, executrix of the estate of Mary F. Hannick, also known as Mary Hannick, Scranton, to Duane D. and Sharon Telep, Scranton; a property at 1723 Winona St., Scranton, for $146,280.

■ Cheryl Geklinsky, individually and as administratrix of the estate of Frank H. Geklinsky, Sugar Notch, to Cedar Ave. Rentals LLC; a property at 1149 Sloan St., Scranton, for $53,000.

■ Sean R. and Tiffany C. Dinkel, Taylor, to Deysi Fuentes Cruz, Scranton; a property at 318 W. Taylor St., Taylor, for $128,750.

■ Ryan C. and Chyann E. Phillips, Jermyn, to James Nonnenberg, Archbald; a property at 531 Lincoln Ave., Jermyn, for $116,000.

ESTATES FILED

■ John S. Zielinski, 1148 Franklin St., Old Forge, letters testamentary to Lorraine Ziemba, also known as Lorraine Horton, 713½ W. Oak St., Old Forge.

■ Eleanor Mecca, also known as Eleanor G. Mecca, 47½ Line St., Throop, letters testamentary to Maria T. Rozaieski, same address.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

SCRANTON — With Bill Courtright’s resignation, city council will get first crack at choosing a replacement.

Under the city’s Home Rule Charter and Administrative Code, a resignation or a criminal conviction by a sitting mayor are two of the ways the office may become vacant.

Once a mayoral vacancy occurs, city council has up to 30 days to select a mayor to fill the remainder of the unexpired term.

During this 30-day period, the city council president — in this case, Pat Rogan — becomes the acting mayor.

If council does not or cannot appoint a mayor for whatever reason, including a tie vote, within the 30-day time frame, Lackawanna County Court would decide who becomes mayor to fill the unexpired term.

The unexpired mayoral term runs through 2021. Courtright was reelected to a second four year term in 2017.

After the Jan. 9 raids by FBI agents of City Hall and Courtright’s home, council broached with its solicitor the process of possibly filling a mayoral vacancy.

Council had not discussed potential candidates to fill the vacancy, because at that point it was still premature, Councilmen Wayne Evans and Tim Perry said. While the resignation was not totally unexpected, it still is difficult, they said.

“As much as you think you are prepared for this ... nobody wants to see that happen,” Evans said. “We certainly want to make sure all of us are prepared on what the procedure is. We’ll do our best to do our best.”

Perry said council wants to make sure they find the best candidate to serve the rest of the term.

“It’s kind of all opened up quickly,” Perry said. “Our biggest job is making sure city government goes on and doesn’t miss a beat.”

Rogan said he will meet with city department heads today and tell them to keep doing what they’re doing, so services are not interrupted. Council will have an executive session Wednesday, before its regular weekly meeting at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall, to discuss picking a new mayor.

“I’m focused right now on the task at hand, making sure government operates and picking the next mayor,” Rogan said.

Councilman Kyle Donahue said transparency moving forward will be key.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to move forward in an open and transparent way,” he said. “It can’t be done behind closed doors.”

JOSEPH KOHUT, TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER, SARAH HOFIUS HALL and JON O’CONNELL, staff writers, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — They’ve seen the situation before, just not in Scranton City Hall.

Allentown and Reading both had mayors caught up in corruption probes. Two former Lackawanna County commissioners went to prison for wrongdoing in office.

But Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright’s resignation Monday on the heels of a federal plea agreement to conspiracy, extortion and bribery hit hard for some current and former city officials.

“Nobody wants to see that happen,” Councilman Wayne Evans said. “It’s a shame all around in every respect.”

Councilman Kyle Donahue called it a sad day.

Councilman Bill Gaughan, who has been an outspoken critic of the mayor over the years, said the corruption scandal undermines the work of good city officials and employees, who now will have to strive to reverse the damage.

“What’s gone on is absolutely disgusting,” he said. “I think I’ve had a reputation from the beginning of being a thorn in the mayor’s side. But I was honestly just trying to get answers. It kind of makes sense now.”

Others noted the city made significant recovery gains since 2014 under Courtright and newer councils.

City solicitor Jessica Eskra, who was appointed by Courtright, said she is proud of his achievements and those of his administration.

“At this point, I'm just letting the facts come out and develop as they are going to over the next few weeks,” she said. “I'll keep my personal feelings to myself.”

Officials also said city services — including police and fire protection and garbage pickup — will continue as usual.

“I'm very saddened that Mayor Courtright has resigned. The city will move on and city business will be taken care of,” council solicitor Amil Minora said.

On whether Courtright has done a good job, Minora said, “I think the results speak for themselves. The city is in better shape than when he took office.”

Lackawanna County Controller Gary DiBileo served on Scranton City Council for two years with Courtright, from 2003 to 2005.

“I find it hard to believe,” DiBileo said of the allegations in the indictment. “That's not the Bill Court-right I know.”

JOSEPH KOHUT, TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER, SARAH HOFIUS HALL and JON O’CONNELL, staff writers, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

July 2, 1934

Heat wave deadly

High temperatures and humidity contributed to the death of a laborer on July 1.

Dr. John O’Dea, acting Lackawanna County coroner, reported that Herman West of East Scranton was cutting wood for a picnic at a farm in Mount Cobb. He was discovered unconscious in the farm’s barn and was taken to Hahnemann Hospital in Scranton. O’Dea said West died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

West’s death, according to O’Dea, was caused by acute dilation of the heart brought on by the heat and exertion.

West worked as a laborer for the Pine Brook Colliery.

School tax trimmed

The Scranton School District announced that the tax rate for the district would drop from 20 to 18 mills in the new budget thanks to efficiencies implemented by the district.

The efficiencies included increasing the student-to-teacher ratio without taxing the teachers, going over purchases, changing practices that cost money and consolidating jobs.

Previously, for example, the district paid for a taxi to drive a truant officer around to each of the district’s schools to deliver paychecks; afterward, the district mailed the checks to each school. Also, the district previously paid someone a $1,200 salary to count daily attendance; afterward, truant officers counted the attendance.

Shopping list

Whole chickens were 49 cents each, smoked ham was 19 cents per pound, 100 clams were 79 cents, watermelons were 69 cents each, 3 pounds of peaches were 25 cents, a dozen oranges cost 19 cents, three large bottles of ginger ale were 49 cents, sharp cheese was 25 cents per pound and 2 pounds of coffee was 49 cents.

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.

SCRANTON — Although former Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright pleaded guilty to federal charges, the probe into public corruption that took him down is extensive and ongoing, U.S. Attorney David Freed said Tuesday.

“Today’s events specifically deal with Scranton city government and activity within the city of Scranton,” Freed said.

Freed addressed the media and others at Scranton’s federal courthouse hours after Courtright pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy, bribery and extortion charges in Williamsport.

Courtright’s corruption, which began soon after he was sworn in to his first term as mayor in early 2014, involved using his position and power as mayor to target, extort and shake down vendors, developers and others doing business in or with the city, Freed said.

“He tied official contracting decisions as mayor to amounts of money that vendors paid,” Freed said.

In one instance, Court-right directed an unnamed city employee to give a license to a person not qualified to get one, and also suggested the required reference letters could be forged, Freed said. The license recipient paid Courtright for the help.

Asked why city employees involved in the schemes have not been charged, Freed said: “The question there is did those people share a criminal intent or were they doing as they were told by an official who had power over their jobs? So that’s what we have to ferret out during the course of an investigation.”

Unnamed intermediaries — fewer than five — delivered cash payoffs to Courtright and checks to his campaign committee. At times, however, Court-right stuffed thousands of dollars of bribes into his pockets, Freed said.

Some of that ill-gotten cash was provided by FBI cooperators; the marked bills they paid him were discovered in a safe during a Jan. 9 raid at Courtright’s home, officials said.

As for whether others may face charges, “That’s what the rest of the investigation is focusing on,” Freed said.

Scranton residents Joan Hodowanitz and Marie Schumacher attended Freed’s press conference.

“This gives me hope that at least someone is looking into the corruption,” Hodowanitz said.

Schumacher felt differently.

“I feel worse because I think we have a lot of people who are going to be rewarded. They’re going to keep their jobs. They’re going to keep their contracts,” Schumacher said.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

Scranton officials are reviewing the city’s contract with Northeast Revenue Service after federal investigators revealed an alleged pay-to-play scheme involving the delinquent tax collection company, its president and former Mayor Bill Courtright.

Courtright pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony counts of criminal conspiracy, bribery and extortion stemming from an ongoing FBI probe dating back to at least 2017. Federal charging documents do not name Northeast Revenue Service or its president, but refer to the firm that collects the city’s delinquent taxes as Company No. 1 and that company’s president as Person No. 1. Northeast collects

the city’s delinquent taxes and garbage fees; its president is John Rodgers.

Charging documents describe how Courtright demanded a $4,000 bribe from Company No. 1 in exchange for the city continuing the contract originally signed in 2011. On or about Nov. 17, 2017, an unnamed intermediary accepted the corrupt payment on behalf of Courtright, who believed the money came from Person No. 1.

Courtright admitted in court Tuesday to accepting thousands of dollars in cash and campaign contributions from Person No. 1 and people acting on Person No. 1’s behalf in a quid pro quo arrangement aimed at maintaining Company No. 1’s contract with the city, U.S. Attorney David Freed said during a Tuesday press conference.

“Courtright accepted these funds knowing that the funds were given to corruptly influence his official action to maintain the contract with Company No. 1,” Freed said.

Efforts to reach Rodgers were unsuccessful. The company issued a statement highlighting its cooperation with investigators. It also noted no Northeast officers or employees were charged with crimes in connection to Courtright.

“We operate with the highest ethical practices for the benefit of Scranton’s taxpayers,” the statement reads in part. “Since our work commenced under the prior mayor, we have repeatedly been awarded new contracts by the city based on our successful track record with collections. We intend to continue to provide the highest standard of professional services, as we have always done.”

Allentown case

Northeast factored into a different federal corruption investigation in Allentown.

A 2017 federal indictment noted officials with the firm made campaign contributions and helped pay for dinner and Philadelphia Eagles tickets for former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski in a pay-to-play scheme he orchestrated. Pawlowski resigned in 2018, following his conviction on 47 federal corruption charges.

The indictment accused Pawlowski of telling Allentown city employees to ensure Northeast got a 2014 contract to collect the city’s delinquent taxes following the contributions, the Eagles game and the dinner. The indictment did not identify the firm or its campaign contributing officials by name, but it did identify specific campaign contributions made by Rodgers, who attended the Eagles game with Pawlowski in January 2014.

In a December 2015 interview, Rodgers denied contributing as part of a pay-to-play scheme.

Allentown officials ended that city’s contractual relationship with Northeast effective Jan. 1, 2017, according to The Morning Call of Allentown. City administrators faced pressure to end the contract since late 2015, when it was mentioned in several guilty pleas made by former Allentown officials as part of an FBI investigation, the newspaper reported in 2017.

Lehigh County still has a contract with Northeast for the firm to collect delinquent taxes for the county Tax Claim Bureau.

Council weighs in

Scranton Councilman Bill Gaughan said the city should terminate its contract with Northeast in light of information revealed in the Courtright scandal.

“Any business or entity that engaged in a pay-to-play scheme needs to be terminated,” Gaughan said. “We need to operate in an open and transparent fashion, and continuing to do business with this company is not in the best interest of the city at this point.”

The Times-Tribune reported in March that nearly one-quarter of trash fee accounts in the city are delinquent and totaled $16.8 million. After hearing from Northeast officials at an April caucus, some council members expressed no confidence in the firm and called for the city to put the collection contract out to bid.

“When we had (Northeast) before the city council talking about the garbage fees, I think we all had some concerns about the performance and certainly we have more concerns now because of the revelations that just came out,” Councilman Wayne Evans said. “Certainly under the situation now, we really need to take a much closer look at our relationship.”

Councilman Kyle Donahue said that relationship should end.

“We need to restore confidence back in city government,” he said.

Efforts to reach Councilman Tim Perry were unsuccessful.

City solicitor Jessica Eskra is conducting a legal review of the Northeast contract and officials are exploring the city’s options, said acting Mayor Pat Rogan.

Nonetheless, Rogan said decisions regarding Scranton’s relationship with the firm should be made by whoever is ultimately appointed permanent mayor, in conjunction with city council.

“My philosophy during this time period is that any major decision should be made by the permanent mayor,” he said.

Leaders of government entities in Luzerne County, meanwhile, say they are happy with services provided by Northeast. The firm collects delinquent taxes for Luzerne County and levies fees assessed by the county flood protection authority.

On Tuesday, leaders of both bodies said they were surprised to hear the company mentioned in relation to the charges against Courtright.

ERIC MARK, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

PITTSTON TWP. — A disabled man was severely injured after getting trapped in a fire that broke out in his home Tuesday morning, according to firefighters.

The man, who was not identified, sustained severe burns and smoke inhalation in the blaze that broke out around 11:30 a.m. at 700 Suscon Road.

Township resident Gene Garron, 84, said he was driving past the home when he noticed smoke coming from a back corner, which firefighters identified as a bedroom.

Garron said he and a few other passers-by tried to get in to help the man but were blocked at every window and door by thick, black smoke.

“I went over and broke the window and I tried to get in the window, and the smoke was just so heavy,” said Garron, a retired state trooper. “He was telling me he was burning but there was no way I could get in there. ... ‘I’m burning! I’m burning!’ he was telling me. And I looked in, I saw his chest burning. I saw him burning, but what could you do?”

The man, who was in a wheelchair, was eventually removed by firefighters.

“We know he is handicapped. He’s lived here a long time,” Pittston Twp. Deputy Fire Chief Allan Capozucca said. “He just had a hard time. We finally got in and got him out through a bedroom window.”

Garron said the victim appeared to still be breathing once he was pulled out but that he had “bright red” burns on his chest.

“He didn’t look good,” Garron said.

The man was rushed by ambulance to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Capozucca said. His condition was not immediately known.

Capozucca said crews from departments across the area were able to knock the fire down within about a half hour.

“The fire was knocked down pretty easy,” Capozucca said. “More of a concern was just getting him out and getting him transported to the hospital.”

The fire did not appear suspicious, but a state police fire marshal was called to investigate the cause, he said.

Police closed down Suscon Road in the area of Powder Mill Road as firefighters worked the scene.

Contact the writer:

jhalpin@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2058

SCRANTON

Pn’t raise

prop tax

In observance of Independence Day, the County of Lackawanna Transit System will not offer service Thursday.

COLTS will have no fixed route or shared ride bus service that day. Regular bus and van service will resume on Friday. The customer service desk at the Lackawanna Transit Center, 30 Lackawanna Ave., and COLTS offices at 800 North South Road will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

— CLAYTON OVER

DINGMAN TWP.

Pn’t raise

prop tax

A township man is accused of assaulting a woman, then intimidating her into telling police she made a false report.

State police arrested Joseph Evans, 26, on June 12 after responding to a domestic violence incident at a home near Raymondskill Road and Black Bear Trail . Troopers said Evans smashed an unidentified 18-year-old woman’s head off of a toilet bowl and gave her a black eye and several bruises.

More than a week later, the woman called police and told troopers she filed a false report about the assault. Troopers believed Evans coerced her into saying she made up the report. After listening to recorded phone conversations between the two from Pike County Correctional Facility, police confirmed Evans intimidated the woman into saying the assault never happened.

Evans was on parole from a Lackawanna County case at the time of the incident, troopers said. He is held in lieu of $10,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today.

— CLAYTON OVER

SCRANTON — Bill Court-right’s resignation as mayor and guilty plea to federal charges set in motion changes big and small at City Hall on Tuesday.

After resigning Monday at 4 p.m., Courtright pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in Williamsport to bribery, extortion and conspiracy.

“It’s like a scud missile hit the place,” city Business Administrator David Bulzoni said of the mood at City Hall on Tuesday. “There’s a lot of turmoil.”

Council President Pat Rogan, serving as acting mayor, held his first cabinet meeting Tuesday with a goal of ensuring city government continues to function.

“We had a meeting at 8:30 a.m. with all of the department heads to make sure there won’t be any changes in terms of services residents see in the city,” Rogan said.

City council will begin the process today of selecting a replacement to serve out Courtright’s unexpired mayoral term.

Council will meet in an informal caucus at noon, followed by a regular meeting at 12:30 p.m. at City Hall.

While the Home Rule Charter dictates that council gets first crack at trying to fill a mayoral vacancy, how that may unfold remains to be seen.

“Obviously, the next step is picking the next mayor,” Rogan said. “We need to reach a consensus on what we think is the best process to fill the vacancy.”

Meanwhile, Bulzoni and other department heads were starting to attend to other, logistical matters arising from Courtright’s departure. For example, Courtright’s name must be removed as a signatory on checks.

“His name is on all the checks. We have to change the check-writing regimen,” Bulzoni said. “We can’t send a check out today for a mayor who resigned yesterday.”

On Tuesday, Courtright’s photo was removed from the city’s home page and his name was removed from his office door in City Hall. His name must also be removed from welcome signs along roads and from the trailer used as a stage at events.

Department heads, who serve at the pleasure of the mayor, also wonder whether they will be removed, Bulzoni said.

“Past practice, a new mayor has come in and typically replaced directors,” Bulzoni said. “There will be a period of adjustment. Some of the staff may remain and very likely some of the staff will be gone.”

Meanwhile, Courtright did not have enough years accrued, both as city tax collector and mayor, to be eligible for a pension, Bulzoni said. Courtright’s prior time on council also did not count toward a pension.

“That will be at least one less item of conflict to discuss,” Bulzoni said.

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE — The attorney charged with reckless endangerment for shooting a wounded raccoon in a mercy killing came to court Tuesday hoping to resolve the case against him but left with a hearing date after police refused to drop the charges.

Larry Kansky, 62, of Wright Twp., is facing reckless endangerment charges alleging he used a .38 Special to shoot an injured raccoon he found along the side of the road in the area of 72 W. North St. on May 21.

Court records show Kansky called 911 repeatedly in an eight-hour span before taking matters into his own hands because authorities failed to deal with the injured animal.

Kansky’s attorney Brian C. Corcoran said he hoped to resolve the case Tuesday, but police were intent on moving forward.

“It’s a shame that the police department is wasting the taxpayers’ money and the time, given the crime level in Wilkes-Barre, pursuing this joke of a case. It’s a complete joke,” Corcoran said. “I thought they would either dismiss it because of the frivolousness of the case, or that they would reduce it to a much, much lesser charge — the equivalent of a traffic ticket. But they told me they want to go full force, full steam, so that’s what we intend on doing.”

Police Chief Joseph Coffay did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Kansky is charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, as well as a summary offense of taking a fur-bearing animal out of season.

Police allege Kansky fired his weapon while two witnesses were in the area, creating a threat to their safety.

Kansky denies anyone else was in the immediate area when he fired his gun, which he has a license to carry concealed. He maintains he aimed carefully to end the suffering of the raccoon, which had been hit by a car and had broken legs.

“We’re disappointed that the charges are even being pursued,” Corcoran said. “Larry was a good Samaritan. It’s known that raccoons (carry) rabies, they present a danger to the public. Larry made multiple calls to 911 and to the Game Commission without any response, and even to an animal activist. He was forced to do this as a last resort.”

During a brief appearance before Magisterial District Judge Alexandra Kokura Kravitz, the defense requested a continuance of the hearing so that Kansky can subpoena recordings of the repeated calls he made to 911.

The judge granted the request and rescheduled the hearing for July 30.

Contact the writer:

jhalpin@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2058

July 3, 1969

Rocker Brian Jones found dead in pool

Brian Jones, a former member of the British rock group the Rolling Stones, died at his home, Cotchford Farm in East Sussex, England. He was 26.

According to a spokesman, Jones reportedly went for a swim just after midnight. A contractor, Frank Thorogood, and his girlfriend discovered Jones at the bottom of the pool. Thorogood and the girlfriend jumped into the pool and brought Jones to the surface. The pair attempted mouth-to-mouth and artificial respiration but weren’t successful. A doctor later arrived and pronounced Jones dead.

Jones left the Rolling Stones in June. In a statement Jones said he wanted “to play my own brand of music rather than that of others.”

Hearings planned on water rate hike

The Public Utility Commission announced that it would hold a hearing July 16-17 on Pennsylvania Gas & Water Co.’s 25 percent rate increase request. The hearing would be conducted at the Lacka-wanna County Courthouse.

The hearings were being held due to protests filed by Throop, Dickson City and Scranton.

The commission allowed for the rate increase to go into effect pending the outcome of the hearing. If the hearing didn’t produce a final approval for the increase, customers would receive a refund.

At the movies

The Circle Drive-in on Route 6 conducted a movie marathon, showing “8 on the Lam,” “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming,” “Track of Thunder,” “One Million Years B.C.” and “The War Wagon.” Free donuts and coffee were served at dawn.

Also showing was “The April Fools” at the Strand, “Oliver” at the West Side, “Sweet Charity” at the Center and “Mackenna’s Gold” at the Comerford.

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.

SCRANTON — Regional unemployment was flat in May at 4.7%, same as the previous month and still the highest among Pennsylvania’s 18 metro areas.

The state rate didn’t budge either at 3.8%; the national unemployment rate was also unchanged at 3.6%.

Over the year, total jobs, seasonally adjusted, within the metro that includes Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties were up by 300, and up 400 from the previous month.

Jobs in seasonal construction, leisure and hospitality sectors saw the greatest month-to-month gains, while education jobs dropped by 800 as the school year dwindled.

— JON O’CONNELL

MARRIAGE LICENSES

■ Ramon Sterling Marmol-Paulino and Natividad Reyes, both of Wilkes-Barre.

■ Michael Steven Davis and Jena Nicole Padilla, both of San Antonio, Texas.

■ Michael Thomas Joseph Bauman and Kaethe Christelle Fajardo, both of Jessup.

■ Erin Kathleen Odea and Michael Todd VanVoorhis, both of Olyphant.

■ Jairo E. Sweeney and Veronica M. Goodman, both of Scranton.

PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS

■ Timothy J. and Rachel L. Kopp, Clarks Green, to Brian J. and Marie Fitch, Scranton; a property at 210 Green St., Clarks Green, for $220,000.

■ Janice Stratton and Joann Swift, co-executors of the estate of Arlene Klien, to Michael B. Walley, Clarks Summit; a property at on Newton Road, Newton Twp., for $158,500.

■ Bobalou Properties LLC, Clarks Summit, to LCG3 Prop­er­ties LLC, 301 Schoolside Drive, Throop; a property in Clarks Summit, for $225,000.

■ Mark M. Jurkowitz, executor of the estate of Gloria Jurkowitz, Scranton, to Michael Steven Freidlin, Clarks Summit; a property at 550 Clay Ave., Scranton, for $98,500.

■ Joseph F. and Erica Nicolas, Scranton, to Benjamin T. and Brandon W. Crowell, Scranton; a property at 1219 Academy St., Scranton, for $149,000.

■ William J. and Annette M. Maslar to Charles J. Herman and Kristine M. Gillott; a property at 5 East View Drive, Scott Twp., for $145,900.

■ Michael P. and Judy Mendola to the Marianne Lukus Grantor Trust; a property at 116 Kim­berly Circle, Clarks Summit, for $346,900.

■ Stratos Holdings LLC, Ocean­side, California, to Chris­topher R. Gierulski, Wilkes-Barre; a property at 748 S. Main St., Taylor, for $127,200.

■ Michael Kacer, Cary, North Carolina, to Justin and Sarah Huse, Clarks Summit; a property at 907 S. Valley Ave., Throop, for $131,500.

■ Deborah Duval, executor of the estate of Edward Joseph Pociask, Shaker Heights, Ohio, to Todd D. Gray, Peckville; a property at 1319 Main St., Blakely, for $139,600.

■ Keith and Carolann McDon­nell, Archbald, to Paul Joseph and Jillian E. Stoko, Harrisburg; a property at 469 Delaware St., Archbald, for $183,000.

■ Joseph A. and Eva Polizzi, Clarks Summit, to Callaghan Shea, Scranton; a property at 422 Clark Ave., Clarks Summit, for $176,000.

■ Laurel Dodgson, formerly known as Laurel Corbin, to Anthony Thomas IV and Mere­dith Eileen Mercuri; a property at 423 E. Warren St., Dunmore, for $142,000.

■ Joseph and Ruth Griggs to Richard J. Jr. and Sandra L. Albright; a property in Newton Twp., for $50,000.

■ Alexander Hsin Yen Lee, Leicester, North Carolina, to the Paul A. Bullock Family Access Trust; a property on Route 348 in Jefferson Twp., for $32,000.

■ Frank T. Brown to Alicia and Sean Insley; a property at 401 Barbara Drive, Roaring Brook Twp., for $170,000.

■ Daniel Tomasetti and Mari­anne Pagnotti to Amanda Pepin and Melissa Kogoy; a property at 527 Fallon St., Old Forge, for $120,000.

■ Stephen B. and Nancy S. Lampman, Clarks Summit, to Salvatore and Floriana Adragna, Clarks Summit; a property at 106 Hemlock Drive, Clarks Summit, for $175,000.

ESTATES FILED

■ Virginia Calianno, 1098 Diamond Ave., Scranton, letters testamentary to Dina Berrios, 19 Valley View Drive, Factoryville.

■ Claire H. DiRienzo, 2309 Stafford Ave., Scranton, letters of administration to Francis P. DiRienzo Jr., 1318 Bryn Mawr St., Scranton.

■ Vivian P. Miller, 53 Parkland Drive, South Abington Twp., letters testamentary to Delilah A. Miller, 1934 Layton Road, Scott Twp.

ONLINE: thetimes-tribune.com/courts

Timeline: The rise and fall of former Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright

November 2003: Bill Courtright, a Democrat and owner of Summit Karate Club, wins election to a four-year term on Scranton City Council.

November 2007: Courtright elected to a second four-year council term.

November 2009: Courtright elected to a four-year term as city tax collector.

November 2013: Incumbent Mayor Chris Doherty does not seek reelection. Courtright wins election to a four-year mayoral term.

January 2014: Pledging to reinvent city government, Courtright is sworn in. He introduces outside financial advisor Henry Amoroso of New Jersey to assist the city.

2015: Courtright and his administration renegotiate police and fire union contracts to resolve a protracted court battle.

2016: Courtright and his administration complete monetizations of the parking and sewer systems, which also resolves the city’s disastrous 2012 default on Scranton Parking Authority debt.

2017: With major recovery initiatives either completed or underway, Pennsylvania Economy League eyes Scranton’s eventual successful exit from Act 47 oversight.

November 2017: Courtright wins reelection as mayor.

January: The FBI raids City Hall and Courtright’s West Mountain home. Courtright says he is not resigning and hires attorney Paul Walker.

Monday: Courtright informs city council in a letter that he will resign. Court documents show the mayor has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of bribery, extortion and criminal conspiracy.

Tuesday: Courtright pleads guilty in federal court in Williamsport.

— JIM LOCKWOOD

WILLIAMSPORT — Lining Bill Courtright’s pockets was the cost of doing business in Scranton.

The 62-year-old former mayor appeared before Chief United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner on Tuesday to admit he used his position to squeeze tens of thousands of dollars from city vendors and business owners to enrich himself or keep his campaign coffers stuffed.

The guilty plea to criminal conspiracy, bribery and extortion resulted from a yearslong undercover FBI investigation, which U.S. Attorney David Freed said is ongoing. At 9:57 a.m. in a nondescript courtroom at a federal building in Williamsport, Courtright became a felon.

“Are you pleading guilty because you are in fact guilty?” Conner asked.

“Yes, your honor,” Courtright replied.

At least 10 business people paid Courtright more than $50,000 during his tenure as mayor to grease the gears of government, Freed said at a news conference after the plea. Federal authorities used surveillance, interviews and extensive document reviews to piece together the case.

A federal document detailing the charges against Courtright accuses him of directing unnamed city representatives to hold up licenses, permits or contracts to extort cash and campaign contributions from entities doing business in or with the city. The corruption began soon after Courtright took office in 2014. Courtright announced plans to resign hours before the charging document became available.

The investigation came into public view Jan. 9 when authorities raided City Hall.

When investigators interviewed Courtright during the raid, he denied taking payoffs, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio

said in court. Later that day, agents found a safe in the basement at his home containing $29,450 — some from payoffs made by

someone cooperating with the FBI.

Consiglio detailed at length the evidence collected against the former mayor, though he did not identify by name any other individual or company caught up in the probe.

Dressed in a dark suit and sporting a fresh haircut, Courtright kept his voice low and spoke only to his attorney, Paul Walker, and when Conner addressed him. He kept stock still as the room filled with chattering people and Consiglio laid out the allegations against him.

Consiglio related a recorded telephone conversation between Courtright and “Person No. 2,” who is the owner and manager of a company that developed commercial and residential properties in the city and needed occupancy permits, contractor’s licenses and other official authorizations from the city’s Licensing, Inspections and Permits Department.

The Times-Tribune uncovered that Person No. 2 is developer Art Russo.

Several of

Russo’s projects were halted and allowed to proceed only after he agreed to give financial support to Courtright.

The mayor demanded

Russo pay $5,000, which came in the form of $2,500 in cash and $2,500 in a campaign contribution. That campaign donation was made by check Jan. 4, 2018, as a “quid pro quo” for Courtright helping

Russo obtain a contractor’s license from the LIP department, and for the mayor to assist with official actions “as specific opportunities arose.”

Public campaign finance records show

Russo is the only campaign contributor to give $2,500 on Jan. 4, 2018.

Consiglio said Person No. 2 was a friend and supporter of the former mayor, Chris Doherty.

In one conversation, Russo apologized for not being able to attend Courtright’s 2017 inaugural party. Courtright told him: “I don’t worry about you coming, I worry about the money.”

Freed said Courtright used less than five people as intermediaries. Neither Freed nor Consiglio identified them, but prosecutors quoted Courtright from electronic intercepts as describing one as a “rock.”

“He would die before he told anyone,” Courtright said.

Prosecutors said Courtright complained to other city officials if a vendor or business gave too little in campaign contributions compared to the amount of business they do with the city.

In a recorded 2018 telephone call, Courtright complained that a contractor with a lucrative business did not contribute enough to his campaign even though Courtright does not send that work to other vendors, Freed said.

“He makes a tremendous amount of money off the city, I said he has to pay,” Freed quoted Courtright as saying. “He gives me $2,500, it’s actually $5,000. He’s gotta pay. I don’t ship that out to anyone else.”

Consiglio also described a businessman not identified in the criminal information. Referred to as “Person No. 3,” Consiglio described him as someone associated with a “multimillion dollar development project.”

This person did renovations at the former mayor’s karate studio, Summit Karate Club, and at his home. False payment records were created, Consiglio said.

A copy of the Sept. 26, 2018, building permit for the construction of the stairs behind Courtright’s karate studio shows Person No. 3 is Scranton developer Donald Mammano.

Mammano owns several apartment and commercial buildings in the city, including one at 317 Linden St. and the Iron Lofts along Franklin Avenue. He also is credited with saving the old Watres Armory on Adams Avenue after he bought it at auction for $150,000 in 2014.

He is in the early stages of a $5.5 million project to convert a vacant six-story warehouse at 614 Wyoming Ave. into apartments and offices.

Attempts to contact Mammano were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Courtright also demanded a $4,000 bribe from the firm — identified as “Company No. 1,” that collects the city’s delinquent taxes and trash fees — in exchange for the city continuing the contract, according to the federal charging documents. Northeast Revenue Service of Plains Twp. collects the city’s delinquent taxes and garbage fees. The president of Northeast Revenue, identified as “Person No. 1” in the federal compliant, is John Rodgers.

At least one intermediary who delivered money to Courtright, revealed in court to be associated with “Person No. 1,” worked on behalf of the FBI. Undercover work in this case had been going on since at least 2017.

Courtright will be sentenced Nov. 14 in Scranton. He was released on his own recognizance.

JON O’CONNELL, staff writer, contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9144;

@jkohutTT on Twitter

Boss Tweed” ran Tammany Hall with a shrewd ruthlessness that made him king of New York City pay-to-play politics.

Enthroned in Scranton City Hall, “Boss Twerp” was the best Bill Courtright could manage.

The city’s absentee mayor made it official Monday, abdicating his office ahead of the announcement of federal corruption charges.

Since the FBI raided his home and City Hall in January, Courtright was a Dead Mayor Walking, not running much of anything other than a losing race against reality.

“The mayor vehemently denies any wrongdoing and is confident that when the investigation is complete he will be exonerated,” his attorney, Paul Walker, said in early June as rumors of his client’s imminent arrest reached a fever pitch.

Walker was at Courtright’s side Tuesday in Williamsport when he pleaded vehemently guilty to three felony counts of criminal conspiracy, bribery and extortion.

At an afternoon press conference at the William J. Nealon Federal Building and Courthouse, U.S. Attorney David Freed laid out the case against Court-right in a “statement of facts” that was missing key details of the conspiracy.

Freed said Courtright extorted cash, free services and campaign contributions from “business people” through a network of “co-conspirators,” “intermediaries,” and “others.”

Freed declined to name any of these mysterious figures, some of whom may still be collecting city paychecks and profiting from public contracts bought from Courtright. Freed said he “understood” why that offends law-abiding, honest citizens tired of being played for suckers.

Freed said “Justice Department practice” forbids the release of names of conspirators unless charges are filed. The investigation is ongoing, so the “others” may yet wither in sunlight.

Freed also said prosecutors consider whether “others” acted with “criminal intent” as opposed to following orders for fear of losing their jobs or paying bribes as a cost of doing business.

Sorry, but I have a hard time seeing such “others” as victims. Those who helped investigators deserve some credit, but the “others” chose to pay the bribes, carry the kickbacks and pay tribute to Boss Twerp.

He couldn’t sell his office if no one was buying. Freed acknowledged this, but understandably wanted the public to focus on the takedown of a corrupt mayor.

It’s a good start, and Freed and his team earned a victory lap in front of the cameras. That said, Bill Courtright is not a criminal mastermind. He didn’t operate in a vacuum. He didn’t invent the pay-to-play politics that have undermined Scranton and its neighbors for generations.

Boss Twerp is gone, but the Machine grinds on. It won’t stop until the bodies of all its beneficiaries are tossed into the gears.

Freed began his press conference with a nod to sufferers of chronic corruption fatigue.

“A resident of Northeast Pennsylvania can be forgiven for thinking, ‘We’ve all been here before,’ ” he said.

Tom Noll nodded his head. I met the 66-year-old Scranton taxpayer during the Cordaro/Munchak federal corruption trial. Tom was there to watch the scandal in 2011 and came back Tuesday for the sequel.

“Here we go again,” I said.

He grinned. After the press conference, Tom said he was “satisfied” with the results of the investigation so far, but wants to know the names of the “business people,” “co-conspirators,” “intermediaries,” and “others” who made Courtright’s crimes possible.

“I’m a law and order guy,” Tom said. “I should’ve been a lawyer — or a reporter.”

CHRIS KELLY, The Times-Tribune columnist, has déjà vu all over again. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timessh

­amrock.com, @cjkink on Twitter. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.co­m/kelly.

High notes

Pastor Carole Arndt McCallum will serve as pastor for the 2019-2020 worship year at the Dunmore United Methodist Church.

McCallum, who grew up in the Dunmore church and community, was one of the first female Methodist ministers in Southern New Jersey and is happy to return to her hometown.

As Dunmore United Methodist Church’s new minister, McCallum hopes to bring about change — both to individuals and the church as a whole. She wants to help the church make God relevant in people’s lives and be a place where people can deepen their relationship with God.

McCallum graduated from Dunmore High School and attended both East Stroudsburg University and the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1978 and has served as pastor in Kingston, New York; and the Monmouth County, New Jersey, towns of Little Silver, Matawan and Freehold as well as East Pennsauken and Cherry Hill.

She also worked with the Tree of Life Institute for Spiritual Direction, the Middle East Network of United Methodists and has taught part time at the Drew University Seminary, according to a press release. She credits her late husband, Duncan, for helping her realize her call to the ministry.

Local group tours

Julie Esty, from the Dearly Departed Players group, lead members of the Scranton Civil War Roundtable on a tour of the Dunmore Cemetery.

Members included Mary Rose Spano, Charlie Spano, Charles Kumpas, Don Broderick, Pete Stenzhorn, Linda Stenzhorn, Tracie Moran and Tom Moran.

The Roundtable is a Civil War enthusiasts and descendants discussion group. They meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Abington Community Library, 1200 W. Grove St., Clarks Summit.

The group discusses issues, battles and politics of the Civil War and the era.

Anyone with an interest is welcome to attend and join the roundtable.

Super students

Mia Castellano, Dickson City; Will Oliphant, Kingston; Steven Paszek, Scranton; and Kyle Rusinko, Scranton, received 2019 Neal J. Fasula Scholarship Awards.

The scholarship was created in memory of Neal J. Fasula, late owner of Gerrity’s Supermarket, to honor his 30-year commitment to the community and his employees, according to the company. It is awarded annually to Gerrity’s employees or their children.

Joyce Fasula and Joe Fasula, owners of Gerrity’s Supermarkets, announced the recipients of the scholarship, which is administered by the Scranton Area Foundation.

Mia, Will, Steven and Kyle were chosen by a committee composed of the Fasula family and employees of Gerrity’s. They had to be well-rounded students who demonstrate commendable grades, superior communication skills and admirable character.

SCRANTON — Regional unemployment was flat in May at 4.7%, same as the previous month and still the highest among Pennsylvania’s 18 metro areas.

The state rate didn’t budge either at 3.8%; the national unemployment rate was also unchanged at 3.6%.

Over the year, total jobs, seasonally adjusted, within the metro that includes Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties were up by 300, and up 400 from the previous month.

Jobs in seasonal construction, leisure and hospitality sectors saw the greatest month-to-month gains, while education jobs dropped by 800 as the school year dwindled.

— JON O’CONNELL