Lackawanna County Minority Commissioner A.J. Munchak has been meeting with federal agents behind closed doors for several months. He talked with Newswatch 16 Tuesday afternoon after the indictment against him was announced and said he never thought it would come to this.
"I was shocked," said the commissioner. "I just can't believe it. I'm shocked."
It is a sharp reaction to charges of fraud, bribery, conspiring to commit extortion and lying on tax returns.
If convicted, Munchak faces 193 years in prison, and more than $3,000,000 in fines.
Federal agents and attorneys claim Munchak received tens of thousands in kickbacks from companies not named in the indictment. They are companies which worked on construction projects that included the renovation of the Lackawanna County courthouse and PNC Field.
"I plan to vigorously defend myself against these allegations," said Commissioner Munchak, "and I am confident that after a full and fair hearing of the facts, the truth will prevail and I'll be found innocent."
Former commissioner Bob Cordaro faces even more serious charges that include money laundering and racketeering. Cordaro faces 364 years in prison and almost $8,000,000 in fines if convicted.
Federal prosecutors claim Cordaro received hundreds of thousands in kickbacks and had vendors pay for his trips to places like the Playboy mansion and the European gambling nation of Monte Carlo in exchange for lucrative county contracts.
Cordaro's lawyer Bill Costopoulos said Tuesday the former commissioner will plead not guilty. Costopoulos added Cordaro is "very strong in his belief that he did nothing wrong."
Current Commissioner A.J. Munchak appears ready to fight the same fight.
"I will not resign," said Munchak. "I will continue to serve as commissioner."
Lackawanna County majority Commissioner Mike Washo said he and fellow majority Commissioner Corey O' Brien canceled an important commissioners' meeting Tuesday morning because they anticipated the criminal charges. Late in the day, they released the following statement: "What we learned today brings disappointment to our community. Now that it is a law enforcement matter that is in the court system, it is time for both the government and the defendants to have a fair opportunity to present their cases. It would be inappropriate for us to comment any further."
"I was shocked," said the commissioner. "I just can't believe it. I'm shocked."
It is a sharp reaction to charges of fraud, bribery, conspiring to commit extortion and lying on tax returns.
If convicted, Munchak faces 193 years in prison, and more than $3,000,000 in fines.
Federal agents and attorneys claim Munchak received tens of thousands in kickbacks from companies not named in the indictment. They are companies which worked on construction projects that included the renovation of the Lackawanna County courthouse and PNC Field.
"I plan to vigorously defend myself against these allegations," said Commissioner Munchak, "and I am confident that after a full and fair hearing of the facts, the truth will prevail and I'll be found innocent."
Former commissioner Bob Cordaro faces even more serious charges that include money laundering and racketeering. Cordaro faces 364 years in prison and almost $8,000,000 in fines if convicted.
Federal prosecutors claim Cordaro received hundreds of thousands in kickbacks and had vendors pay for his trips to places like the Playboy mansion and the European gambling nation of Monte Carlo in exchange for lucrative county contracts.
Cordaro's lawyer Bill Costopoulos said Tuesday the former commissioner will plead not guilty. Costopoulos added Cordaro is "very strong in his belief that he did nothing wrong."
Current Commissioner A.J. Munchak appears ready to fight the same fight.
"I will not resign," said Munchak. "I will continue to serve as commissioner."
Lackawanna County majority Commissioner Mike Washo said he and fellow majority Commissioner Corey O' Brien canceled an important commissioners' meeting Tuesday morning because they anticipated the criminal charges. Late in the day, they released the following statement: "What we learned today brings disappointment to our community. Now that it is a law enforcement matter that is in the court system, it is time for both the government and the defendants to have a fair opportunity to present their cases. It would be inappropriate for us to comment any further."
