Sources: FBI serves subpoena at Wilkes-Barre Police HQ
By: Joe Holden
Updated: February 6, 2013
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County- Sources in Wilkes-Barre City Hall say an
FBI agent delivered a subpoena to the city's police department on
Tuesday. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the sources said the federal
subpoena was seeking records at the police department related to the
operation of L.A.G. Towing, and owner of the city's often-controversial
tow truck operation, Leo Glodzik.
City spokesman Drew McLaughlin did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment late Tuesday night. A cellphone for Mayor Thomas Leighton was no longer in service. Efforts to reach the FBI's field office in Scranton late Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Two city councilmen, two weeks ago, broke with tradition and called on the mayor to begin termination proceedings against Glodzik, telling him that any lingering investigation be "put on the fast track."
Sources say various city leaders were alerted to the federal subpoena delivered on Tuesday.
Reports had been generated for months claiming Glodzik repeatedly violated the terms of his contract with Wilkes-Barre. "We cannot let this continue on," Bill Barrett said at council's last meeting on Jan. 25. Barrett, council chairman, and Councilman Tony George, both former city police chiefs, said complaints made against Glodzik were "reasonable suspicion."
Critics have dogged Glodzik with allegations that he has charged people, whose cars were stolen, hefty fees to retrieve them. Glodzik has denied any wrongdoing, though he admitted at last month's council meeting, he did not keep records - a perceived violation of his contract with the city.
But a string of complainants have suggested the allegations made public so far are only the tip of the iceberg of alleged wrongdoing.
Leighton, a frequent defender of Glodzik, has yet to say if he'll act on council's two-week old recommendation to begin termination proceedings. Following the last council meeting, the mayor fumbled in understanding what council had voted on, claiming that they had only recommended he hasten an existing investigation into L.A.G. when, in fact, council directed he initiate termination due process proceedings.
In what law enforcement experts described as highly unusual, Glodzik acknowledged he amended his record keeping practice at the beginning of his contract in 2005 at the direction of Chief of Police Gerard Dessoye.
Glodzik, on Jan. 25, told council that in 2005, Dessoye allegedly said he didn't need Glodzik's set of records. "I know more about the cars than you do," Glodzik claimed Dessoye said. Following the Jan. council meeting, the I-Team's Joe Holden pressed further: "Did the chief of police instruct you in any way, shape or form to not keep records?" Glodzik responded, "He told me he doesn't need the records because he already has them." Holden followed up, "So did you stop keeping records on your own?" Glodzik replied, "Yes I did."
Dessoye hasn't responded to Glodzik's claims made in this report, and a previous report here.
City spokesman Drew McLaughlin did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment late Tuesday night. A cellphone for Mayor Thomas Leighton was no longer in service. Efforts to reach the FBI's field office in Scranton late Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Two city councilmen, two weeks ago, broke with tradition and called on the mayor to begin termination proceedings against Glodzik, telling him that any lingering investigation be "put on the fast track."
Sources say various city leaders were alerted to the federal subpoena delivered on Tuesday.
Reports had been generated for months claiming Glodzik repeatedly violated the terms of his contract with Wilkes-Barre. "We cannot let this continue on," Bill Barrett said at council's last meeting on Jan. 25. Barrett, council chairman, and Councilman Tony George, both former city police chiefs, said complaints made against Glodzik were "reasonable suspicion."
Critics have dogged Glodzik with allegations that he has charged people, whose cars were stolen, hefty fees to retrieve them. Glodzik has denied any wrongdoing, though he admitted at last month's council meeting, he did not keep records - a perceived violation of his contract with the city.
But a string of complainants have suggested the allegations made public so far are only the tip of the iceberg of alleged wrongdoing.
Leighton, a frequent defender of Glodzik, has yet to say if he'll act on council's two-week old recommendation to begin termination proceedings. Following the last council meeting, the mayor fumbled in understanding what council had voted on, claiming that they had only recommended he hasten an existing investigation into L.A.G. when, in fact, council directed he initiate termination due process proceedings.
In what law enforcement experts described as highly unusual, Glodzik acknowledged he amended his record keeping practice at the beginning of his contract in 2005 at the direction of Chief of Police Gerard Dessoye.
Glodzik, on Jan. 25, told council that in 2005, Dessoye allegedly said he didn't need Glodzik's set of records. "I know more about the cars than you do," Glodzik claimed Dessoye said. Following the Jan. council meeting, the I-Team's Joe Holden pressed further: "Did the chief of police instruct you in any way, shape or form to not keep records?" Glodzik responded, "He told me he doesn't need the records because he already has them." Holden followed up, "So did you stop keeping records on your own?" Glodzik replied, "Yes I did."
Dessoye hasn't responded to Glodzik's claims made in this report, and a previous report here.
Comments
i have had this happen to me at this exact towing place on 8/15/12 my car was stolen and i had to pay $625 i paid $175 for towing and $450 for storage even though i was trying to pick the car up for days and they kept giving me the run around. i dont understand why i had to pay when my car was stolen i was the victim
barb t.
February 5, 2013 at 11:02 pm
i have had this happen to me at this exact towing place on 8/15/12 my car was stolen and i had to pay $625 i paid $175 for towing and $450 for storage even though i was trying to pick the car up for days and they kept giving me the run around.
barb t.
February 5, 2013 at 11:01 pm
