Guesto out

WILKES-BARRE — After enduring months of criticism and scrutiny stemming from the Luzerne County debit-card controversy, County Manager/Chief Clerk Sam Guesto announced Wednesday he was resigning as the county’s top administrator.

He has applied for the new Court administrator job and I will be disappointed but not surprised if he gets it.

From the CV:

GUESTO’S DEBIT-CARD PURCHASES

March 2, 2006 — Edwardsville Price Chopper, $24.73, bought soda for Emergency Management Agency workers, cost reimbursed.

March 6, 2006 — Daily Grill, Washington, D.C., $451.65, dinner while attending National Association of Counties meeting.

March 7, 2006 — Marriott, Washington, D.C., $466.42, two-night stay at hotel for National Association of Counties meeting, $54.22 reimbursed, portion of receipt covering $43.59 not provided.

March 15, 2006 — Patte’s Sports Bar, Wilkes-Barre, $60.62, meeting with assessor’s office employees, cost reimbursed.

March 23, 2006 — Perugino’s, Luzerne, $60.80, meeting with prison officials, cost reimbursed.

March 30, 2006 — Manhattan Time Share, New York City, $208.44, overnight stay for crime suppression meeting.


April 13, 2006 — Manhattan Time Share, New York City, $208.44, overnight stay for crime suppression meeting.

April 25, 2006 — Pasquale’s, Hanover Township, $34.24, meeting with Wilkes-Barre Township officials, cost reimbursed

Nov. 30, 2006 — Conference Trade Show, Illinois, $440, registration cost for National Association of Counties meeting.

March 4, 2007 — Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C., $217.55, lodging for National Association of Counties.

March 8, 2007 — Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C., $622.37, lodging, National Association of Counties, $53.51 unallowable.

June 6, 2007 — Conference Trade Show, Illinois, $390 refund, cancellation of registration for National Association of Counties meeting, $50 cost reimbursed.

June 25, 2007 — Exxon Mobile, Bear Creek, $42, fuel, no receipt submitted.

Aug. 9, 2007 — Tom’s 22, New Freedom, Pa., $51, fuel, no receipt submitted.


Aug. 10, 2007 — Sheraton Hotel, Baltimore, $692, lodging for 911 meeting, $12.99 unallowable purchase on a movie, video game or Internet service.

Total charges: $3,630.26


Allowable charges validated by receipts: $3,493.67

Unaccounted charges/no receipts: $136.59

Unallowable charges: $66.50


Should reimburse: $203.09Paid back: $1,268.03;

Refund due: $1,064