Former NEIU Director Enters Into Plea Agreement
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: September 27, 2012
Archbald, Lackawanna County - A former education leader in Lackawanna County plans to plead guilty after a lengthy corruption investigation.
Fred Rosetti, the former head of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19, has struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Rosetti was originally indicted on 13 charges back in February.
In a 24-page plea agreement released Thursday morning, Rosetti indicates he will plead guilty to two charges, mail fraud and theft.
Prosecutors say Rosetti improperly used NEIU money and employees for his own benefit and the benefit of family members.
Investigators say he did not properly record vacation days, created fake travel vouchers and even had NEIU employees do work at his Archbald home.
"If he was using it for his own private use, that is not right," Teresa Snyder of Scranton said.
Rosetti faces the possibility of up to 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
According to the plea agreement, the recommended sentence will be 12-18 months and a fine of $120,000.
"It is a slap on the wrist because if it was somebody else, we'd get the full term," Donna Rought of Old Forge said.
On the streets, as people heard about the plea deal, they questioned whether justice will be served.
"That's a slap on the wrist. I'd go for it, you know?" Snyder said. "If it was me, it'd probably be the far better thing to do."
According to the plea agreement, if a federal judge sentences Rosetti outside of the 12-18 month range, he has the right to withdraw his guilty plea and take the case to trial.
The exact sentence that Rosetti will receive will be determined by a federal judge.
Rosetti was originally expected to face trial in early November.
A date for Rosetti to formally enter his guilty plea has not yet been set.
