Attorney Expects Bob Cordaro to be Indicted Any Day
By: Andy Mehalshick
Updated: February 17, 2010
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Federal prosecutors are ready to move on a former Lackawanna County commissioner. It could be just the first of many indictments in that county.
The federal investigation in Luzerne County is well documented. Now the hammer is about to drop in Lackawanna County.
The attorney for the former commissioner Bob Cordaro is not mincing words. He expects his client to be indicted any day now.
"I did use the word imminent. I will use it again. I expect he will be charged within several weeks," said Attorney William Costopoulos.
He says his client is in trouble, but he says, “bring it on.”
“One phone call from the government to me will produce that person. We will surrender immediately. Mr. Cordaro will meet this head-on. His intention is to clear his name. If that case is to go to trial by jury at an appropriate time, thats where we are."
Cordaro was once a majority commissioner with fellow Republican A.J. Munchak. Munchak was interviewed by the FBI last month. He denies any wrong doing and told Eyewitness News last month that he was not resigning.
Munchaks lawyer says he answered questions about vendors and cash. The I-Team has confirmed that the FBI subpoened records from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Those records dealt with a $42 million dollar terminal renovation.
The I-team has also confirmed that records were seized from Lackawanna County Stadium, now PNC Field, the home of the Yankees Triple-A franchise. Cordaro was the sole negotiator on the contract that brought the Yankees to Lackawanna County.
Sources close to the case also tell the I-Team the renovations done at the Lackawanna County Courthouse are also being looked at by the FBI.
When asked what the nature of the alleged charges against Cordaro might be, Costopoulos said, “I do have an idea. It wouldnt be appropriate for me to start talking about what I believe the charges to be."
Cordaro has not been charged and Munchaks lawyer, Chris Powell, says his client is cooperating with the FBI. The I-Team asked Powell if Munchak will be indicted, he said to ask the U.S. Attorney. That office will not make any comment.
