Felasco fate varies by jurisdiction

PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

A Lawrence County commissioner and a federal housing official acknowledge the angst county residents have toward Gary F. Felasco.

Neither Dan Vogler nor Guy Ciarrocchi want Felasco handling public funds after state charges of theft emerged.

Yet, Vogler has had no success in booting the county treasurer from his office.

Conversely, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended Felasco in late November as a Lawrence County Housing Authority board member.

One man. Same charges. Different responses.

"It's all based on the law," Vogler said Thursday. "Everything we do here has to be based on what the law allows us to do and doesn't allow us to do.

"Evidently the law allows HUD to suspend board members because that's where the money's coming from."

Backed by rulings from District Judge Samuel A. Battaglia and visiting common pleas Judge Michael J. Wherry, Felasco has remained in office with pay.

"I understand citizens may be frustrated with the process locally," Ciarrocchi said yesterday.

Ciarrocchi serves as HUD's Region III director in Philadelphia. His office oversees housing authorities in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Noting that county and federal laws are in play, Ciarrocchi said he is not surprised by the apparent contradiction taking place.

"We have an obligation to make sure money is spent wisely," he said. "People must be capable but ethical."

Vogler hopes HUD's action opens the way for the county to make another case for Felasco's removal as county treasurer.

"In the light of the suspension against Felasco, does that gives us enough evidence (to) ask the courts to rule on a removal request? (County solicitor Thomas Leslie) is still looking into that."

Ciarrocchi said his office learned through a number of sources about the controversy and charges involving Felasco. U.S. Rep Melissa Hart and state Rep. Frank LaGrotta took the lead on the legislative level to advise HUD. Private citizens also offered input.

Last week, housing authority board member Donald "Ducky" Conti claimed someone had tipped off HUD about Felasco's charges. Ciarrocchi questioned Conti's assertion.

"I'm surprised why Mr. Conti is surprised," he said. "He's surprised that HUD took an interest in the Lawrence County Housing Authority and Mr. Felasco?

"We read the newspapers, too. We were aware of the criminal charges because of the media."

Like Felasco, Conti is facing his own legal issues. In 2004, the state charged Conti on counts involving illegal gambling devices and liquor. He is awaiting trial.

"HUD is aware of the charges against him," Ciarrocchi said.

He declined to say if Conti would be removed from the housing authority board.

Unlike HUD, the county has a limited role involving the housing authority.

"Somewhere in the law, it states the county commissioners will appoint the five members of a housing authority," Vogler said. "And then there's a big period at that point."

The law, and not passion, will determine Felasco's fate, Vogler said.

"That's why we have a solicitor to tell us to research the law," he said. "That prevents us from basing our decisions strictly on emotion.

"If I could base my decision on emotion and not adhere to the law, he'd have been gone 18 months ago."


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