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.
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