More corruption charges are unraveling in Luzerne County government.
Allen Bellas agreed to plead guilty Thursday in federal court in Scranton. He is the next in a long line of Luzerne County officials facing corruption charges.
This time around the former Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority director faces charges involving bribery.
According to court documents, Bellas is accused of accepting a bribe in 2007 from contractors. At the time he was director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority.
The bribe was $2,000.
Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla is shocked by the bribe over the contractor's bid. "For us to benefit from them privately is absolutely appalling, and it's very upsetting," Petrilla said.
Bellas still has to show up at federal court in Scranton to plead guilty in person.
If convicted he could face up to ten years in jail or $250,000 fine.
Petrilla said it's time for people to start thinking twice about their commitment to serving in public office.
"I think there are little things going forward that people have to really think twice before you are willing to serve on a board, that they're going to take an ethics oath and everything they do will be in the best interest of the people of Luzerne County," Petrilla added.
Bellas was suspended without pay from his director role at the redevelopment authority earlier this week.
Despite the concerns of corruption in Luzerne County, Petrilla said the county is moving forward.
"You know the good old boy and all the old business as usual people are constantly referring to is not going to be tolerated," said Petrilla.
Bellas is also the president of the Wyoming Valley West School District. According to court documents he must resign his post within ten days.
"I understand that one of the stipulations of the plea agreement was that Mr. Bellas must resign from the school board," said Superintendent Charles Suppon of Wyoming Valley West. He added he has not heard from Bellas or received any letter of resignation. He said his dealings with Bellas have always been positive.
"Any decision that Mr. Bellas made for the Wyoming Valley West School District, he usually had the best interest of the students. So it was alway s close to his heart, doing what's best for the kids here in the district," Suppon added.
Despite Bellas' agreement to plead guilt to federal charges, the superintendent said the school board must move forward. "I mean it's a situation where you pick up the pieces and move on."
Suppon said the board will move forward with finding a new president once Bellas' resignation is official.
In a related action, late Thursday afternoon another person was charged in the on-going corruption investigation.
Richard Emanski of Harveys Lake is accused of installing carpeting at the home of a Wilkes-Barre Area School Board director in return for getting a contract with the district.
Emanski is president of King Glass and Paint Company in Swoyersville.
Allen Bellas agreed to plead guilty Thursday in federal court in Scranton. He is the next in a long line of Luzerne County officials facing corruption charges.
This time around the former Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority director faces charges involving bribery.
According to court documents, Bellas is accused of accepting a bribe in 2007 from contractors. At the time he was director of the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority.
The bribe was $2,000.
Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla is shocked by the bribe over the contractor's bid. "For us to benefit from them privately is absolutely appalling, and it's very upsetting," Petrilla said.
Bellas still has to show up at federal court in Scranton to plead guilty in person.
If convicted he could face up to ten years in jail or $250,000 fine.
Petrilla said it's time for people to start thinking twice about their commitment to serving in public office.
"I think there are little things going forward that people have to really think twice before you are willing to serve on a board, that they're going to take an ethics oath and everything they do will be in the best interest of the people of Luzerne County," Petrilla added.
Bellas was suspended without pay from his director role at the redevelopment authority earlier this week.
Despite the concerns of corruption in Luzerne County, Petrilla said the county is moving forward.
"You know the good old boy and all the old business as usual people are constantly referring to is not going to be tolerated," said Petrilla.
Bellas is also the president of the Wyoming Valley West School District. According to court documents he must resign his post within ten days.
"I understand that one of the stipulations of the plea agreement was that Mr. Bellas must resign from the school board," said Superintendent Charles Suppon of Wyoming Valley West. He added he has not heard from Bellas or received any letter of resignation. He said his dealings with Bellas have always been positive.
"Any decision that Mr. Bellas made for the Wyoming Valley West School District, he usually had the best interest of the students. So it was alway s close to his heart, doing what's best for the kids here in the district," Suppon added.
Despite Bellas' agreement to plead guilt to federal charges, the superintendent said the school board must move forward. "I mean it's a situation where you pick up the pieces and move on."
Suppon said the board will move forward with finding a new president once Bellas' resignation is official.
In a related action, late Thursday afternoon another person was charged in the on-going corruption investigation.
Richard Emanski of Harveys Lake is accused of installing carpeting at the home of a Wilkes-Barre Area School Board director in return for getting a contract with the district.
Emanski is president of King Glass and Paint Company in Swoyersville.
