Walter wants the records

Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith continues his quest to bring order out of the chaos that passes for government in Luzerne County. Today's TL story says he has instructed the 70 plus departments to provide his office with all contracts, deeds, vehicle and equipment titles, bills of sale and any other records of property owned by the county government as required by law.

The Controller’s Office did not have copies of several contracts that have come under scrutiny in recent months, including ones for a River Common video, the Wyoming Valley Airport management company and a county records improvement consultant, he said.

Griffith has recently been in the news a lot lately and some people have accused him of grandstanding. I'm reminded of the old adage "Sunlight is the best disinfectant." I say every time he finds a problem he should make it public.

He wants the Sheriff's Department to account for all the firearms that are in their possession after it came to light that they were selling machine guns and other weapons without approval. Acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri has been stonewalling.


Former Sheriff Michael Savokinas agreed to the Tommy gun sale in August 2009, and the transaction was completed after Savokinas resigned and Guarnieri became acting sheriff in September. Solicitor Vito DeLuca has said only county commissioners can approve sales of property, including firearms issued to the sheriff's office.

Records submitted by Guarnieri show the sheriff's office sold 42 handguns to sheriff's deputies in May and January. Those sales totaled $5,150.

He has also stopped outrageous bonus payments to a select few Sheriff's Deputies.

Other items under scrutiny are cell phones and driver's licenses.

I always said Walter was a pain in the ass and that is a good thing.

Nipper is sueing Savo

TL: Former Luzerne County Sheriff candidate George "Nipper" Nowakowski Wednesday filed a lawsuit against recently resigned Sheriff Michael Savokinas and the county.

This gets to be more fun everyday. Nowakowski has run for Sheriff about 14 times and still can't get it through his head that the people don't want him in the job.

He has taken offence over this statement by Savo in the Times-Leader on July 15 regarding the accusation that his political enemies may have planted drugs in his car:

Though Savokinas did not implicate anyone, he said there were several confrontations with influential county figures who he said might want to see his reputation damaged.“It could be a multitude of a couple different things … to force me out of office, to ruin my name so I never win another office politically. I don’t know why.” he said. Specifically, he noted George “Nipper” Nowakowski, whom he defeated in what he termed a “bitter” 2007 Democratic primary race for his current office; former Republican Sheriff Barry Stankus, whom he beat in the general election; and Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla.

I'm not a lawyer so I don't if this statement is actionable or not but Nipper thinks it is. We will get the details tomorrow. Maybe Barry and Maryanne will want to piggy back on it since they were also named.

The Luzerne County Republican Party put out a press release earlier today calling for a special election to pick a new Sheriff and I think that would be a good idea. However state law specifies that the Governor must appoint the replacement of county row officers with the consent of the State Senate. Rapid Edward declined to nominate a new Controller when Petrilla got a promotion so I doubt he will take any action in this case. Right now Governor Rendell has a full plate trying to get a budget deal, talking to his dogs and dieting.

Another reason for Home Rule.

Maryanne and the press have been mean to me

So I Quit

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Read his resignation letter

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Luzerne County Sheriff Michael Savokinas resigned because he doesn't like his press coverage and battles with the Luzerne County Commissioners.

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I didn't know what to make of this and a friend summed it up.

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This is just Savo throwing a hissy fit. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of politics, dude. The contents of his resignation letter are substantially similar to what he said at the study commission meeting last week.

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A few people have told me that I put him over the edge with this last post. I doubt that.

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Politics ain't beanbag. What a pussy.

Update:

Luzerne County GOP calls for special election

WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County Republican Party Chairman Terry Casey is calling on Gov. Ed Rendell to hold a special election as soon as possible to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sheriff Michael Savokinas.

Savokinas abruptly resigned his position on Tuesday with 28 months remaining in his four-year term for the county row office.

Casey pointed to the ongoing “unrest and instability” in county government as a reason for the governor to act swiftly.

“With the current political climate and the growing mistrust and disappointment in county government, it is crucial that the position of Luzerne County Sheriff be filled by a duly elected individual,” Casey said. “Luzerne County residents deserve to be the ones who determine who will fill that crucial position.”

Casey said he hopes the governor renders a decision soon and would like to see the position placed on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

“It doesn’t seem right that a resigning official should be the one to determine who runs the sheriff’s office,” Casey said. “I also do not think the governor should name an interim sheriff to fill the rest of the term. As long as this position is an elected one, it is only right that the people have a say in who fills it.”

Sheriff Michael Savokinas

"I find it unbelievable Sheriff Savokinas continues to misrepresent the facts and cry persecution, I think he is delusional."-Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla

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Luzerne County Sheriff Mike Savokinas is in the news again. I don't think the previous Sheriff, Barry Stankus, got as much ink in 8 years as this guy has in the last few months.

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On the one hand he is decrying budget cuts that forced him to lay off people but wants to take on the additional responsibility of overseeing Courthouse security warning the Luzerne County Government Study Commission "If there's an incident at that courthouse, a shooting, people are going to die, I hate to say it."

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He has resisted attempts to bring his office into compliance with county travel policies calling them nonsense. His chief deputy, Charlie Guarnieri, has been accused of harassment and questions have been raised about his vacation time that wasn't documented. When questioned about it by a TV reporter Guarnieri slapped his microphone away.

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Then there is drugs in the cars incidents and Savo claimed he was being framed. "It's not uncommon to find drugs in a police vehicle." The FBI is supposedly investigating the multiple drugs on the shoe stuff because DA Jackie MO punts every allegation of local wrongdoing by the political class.

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And Pittston School Board member Joseph Oliveri plead guilty to taking a bribe while on duty as a deputy sheriff. He committed a crime while in uniform and on duty and they want to pay him for his unused vacation and sick pay. Not that anybody actually keeps track of it.

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To top it all off Savokinas has a website:

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Michael Savokinas

Sheriff of Luzerne County

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This is not a dot gov or dot org domain but a dot com so it is hard to tell who is paying for it. There is not an email address to contact our sheriff so I just may give him a call. That is where I got the picture of him and the President.

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If you want to talk Mike, send me an email. I know you read this blog.

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I missed some stuff but you can read more Savo stories on the CV archive.

They're out to get me

Just before the 2007 election Mike Savokinas got some press with the age old claim that his signs were being stolen. The police were called and nothing became of it but it was a news story for a day or two. At the same time Sheriff Barry Stankus was getting beat up in the press because he had a part time job and failed to list it on his financial disclosure form. The timing of two events cast a cloud over Stankus and Savokinas won the election. After the election it was revealed that our new Sheriff was working on the railroad after he took office and has reportedly given that up.

Recently the FBI has been called in to investigate the discovery of drugs in 2 Sheriff's vehicles because DA Jackie MO punts every allegation of local wrongdoing by the political class. Savokinas said "It's not uncommon to find drugs in a police vehicle." The initial investigation of the incidents was bungled and will probably not amount to anything.


Now another drugs in the car incident has come to light and he almost blames his political enemies. The fact that the government is still locking up people for drug offenses for over 50 years and it has been ineffective in deterring drug use is another story.


CV: Luzerne County Sheriff Michael Savokinas won't "point fingers" or "name names," but he's convinced political enemies "planted" drugs in a department vehicle for the third time this year...

Savokinas said the recent drug discoveries also smack of a plot to destroy his reputation while he worked as a police officer in Avoca. Former Avoca police Chief Edward Lukowich pleaded no contest last year to criminal charges for spreading claims Savokinas sold drugs from his family's restaurant, Savo's, in Pittston.


TL: Though Savokinas did not implicate anyone, he said there were several confrontations with influential county figures who he said might want to see his reputation damaged.
“It could be a multitude of a couple different things … to force me out of office, to ruin my name so I never win another office politically. I don’t know why.” he said.
Specifically, he noted George “Nipper” Nowakowski, whom he defeated in what he termed a “bitter” 2007 Democratic primary race for his current office; former Republican Sheriff Barry Stankus, whom he beat in the general election; and Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla.


“From that point on, I got calls from Maryanne Petrilla,” he said. “She said, ‘You’re done politically,’ and from that point on, it’s been downhill ever since.”


Petrilla calls him a liar.


Maryann said she never made such a comment. “Obviously, he is not being truthful with the public at all, because there was never, ever a situation where I threatened to ruin Mr. Savokinas’ career.”


A comment on an earlier post about this subject:


Gort:

You forgot to mention that Savokinas was set-up by the former Police Chief of Avoca. You probably don't have the balls to publish this comment.

Thanks for your input Mike.

A Savo pizza and a coke

Remember that Barry Stankus lost the election because he was squeezing a few oranges at the Sunshine Market.


Illegal drugs found in two sheriff’s vehicles


Feds launch probe of Luzerne County sheriff

So drugs were found in two sheriffs’ vehicles which will probably not amount to much. According to Luzerne County Mike Savokinas it happens all the time.

The Yonk lists all the other problems with his leadership of the office:


1. TRAIN-When Savokinas first took office, it took reporters dogged questions before the Sheriff admitted that he was still working for the railroad, in effect double dipping. A furor erupted and the Sheriff took a leave from the choo choo job.

2. HEROIN-Savokinas admitted to WILK talk show host that he had 7 bags of the drug stashed in his office for safe keeping. The chain of evidence implications in this admission are breath taking.

3. TIME CARD-Savokinas has been widely criticized for letting his office procedures go amuck when it came to keeping track of his people’s vacation and personal time.

4. GUARNARI-The Sheriff’s top deputy was not in the office for a few weeks and there was no record of vacation time. Guarnari who was interviewed by WBRE’s Joe Holden was not happy with the line of questioning and lunged at the reporter’s microphone.


All sorts of accusations have come out in the comments on the CV article that I will cherry pick. Since Mr. Savokinas has a habit of suing people I want to emphasize that these are not the opinion of Gort42 nor do I attest to the veracity of the accusations. But they are interesting.

From the CV Comments:


-I don't understand what the fuss is all about. I routinely find cocaine and heroin on the floor of my car when I unlock the door. Doesn't everyone?


-Lohman is not the only crooked cop that Savokinas is involved with there are many. maybe the FBI should look into that. Just go to the Scranton Police they will give you some background on one of them. Mental and criminal.


-I'm amazed at how this newspaper permits blatant allegations of criminal behavior to be published along with peoples' names without any corroboration - this is a lawsuit waiting to be filed.


-how long can the DA cover up the crime at the xmas party at savos pizza place. everyone in town knows about savo covering up what lohman did. some things in the small town never change.


-X'Mas, We can add that party to the list as well, but there was an incident a few years back and of course it was swept under the rug because of him being in law enforcement.


-Are you referring to a party around Xmas??...at his restaurant??? I heard a lot of rumors on Main St. Pittston, but seems everything was swept under the rug......if the rumors turn out to be true, and the FBI can get some answers, there will be a LOT of folks in some BIG trouble (another rumor was that county detectives weree aware of this incident).... I hope it comes out so we can continue to knock down the blue wall


-Its a real shame that people are so blind to this. So many people in Pittston Twp. where Savokinas is from knows this stuff about him, but noone comes forward because they are afraid of his frivilous lawsuits and threats. He has relations in law enforcement and the courthouse to protect him again. Wake up people put a tail on him you will see alot more!


-If someone wants to know why to cocain was in 'his vechile", maybe they should ask the Pittston Twp. Police about the incident a few years back.....


-maybe if they searched his residence they would find an extensive collection of Grateful Dead albums and tie dyed t-shirts.



-Savokinas,Guarneri and Lohman are all personal friends.Each one of them has testified for the other two at lawsuit proceedings.


Savokinas was on WILK yesterday and you can listen to it '>here.

Now what?

Feds launch probe of Luzerne County sheriff

Nothing will probably come of this just like the debit cards, no-show employees, no bid contracts, 20 year lease, etc. Call me cynical.

Luzerne County Sheriff

Barry Stankus, the incumbent Republican Sheriff is facing a stiff challenge from Mike Savokinas in the only county race that has some excitement. Stankus has done a good job the last eight years but you can always do better. His opponent points out some shortcomings and offers his ideas to improve the office. Stankus snagged the endorsement of both local papers. The CV said "Stankus has done a good job for eight years and deserves to be retained in his office." The TL said....sorry, the article has expired on the web. I hate to bitch about the local papers because I rely on them but the TL charging money for a story more than 2 weeks old (3 bucks!) is stupid.

What's your sign, part II

It seems to be an annual ritual around here. Some candidate complains his signs are being stolen or is this just a case of overzelous Wilkes-Barre DPW workers removing them from public property far and wide.

Candidate: Hundreds of signs are stolen


The Democratic candidate for Luzerne County sheriff said hundreds of his campaign signs were stolen Saturday night or early Sunday.
Mike Savokinas, who said his signs are missing, estimates cost of the lost signs to be between $2,000 and $5,000.

This sort of juvenile nonsense happens every election, I've even seen it with my own eyes.


In the continuing Times-Leader series of candidate inquisitions it was W-B Council District A hopefuls turn.

Walter Griffith touts his 10 point plan and said he said he applauds the job done by Mayor Thomas Leighton. That's a first.

His opponent Rick Cronauer promises to make the city better but if after four years he feels he hasn’t succeeded, he will pull up stakes and accept failure. While that is refreshingly honest it's going to take a long time to fix the problems of W-B or any other small city in PA.

Luzerne County poll

The mysterious poll that was taken over a month ago but no one would take credit for finally has a father. The Skrepenak/Petrilla campaign manager, Mike Prociak, has admitted that they paid for it, like there was any doubt about it. Who else has the money? They won't make it public but it appears that the Citizens Voice and Times-Leader have seen it.


The surprise was that it has numbers on 2 of the row office races. In the Sheriffs race Republican incumbent Barry Stankus is leading challenger Mike Savokinas as expected. Savokonis is the only county candidate with a website and he raises questions about the finances of the office. The poll also said that Recorder of Deeds Mary Dysleski and Democrat Red O'Brien are in a close race.


Prociak said that Democrats Greg Skrepnak and Maryanne Petrilla are win and place but wouldn't tell us who is show. The 3rd place candidate said it was bullshit: "It was their poll," Steve Urban said. "I doubt any of the questions benefited me. So, you can't judge anything by what it says." The other Republican candidate Bill Jones could not be reached for comment as usual.