Threat of lawsuit by towing contractor gags city council members
By: Joe Holden
Updated: February 15, 2013
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County- City leaders late Thursday released a
letter revealing intentions of city towing contractor Leo Glodzik to
take them to task for alleged false and malicious statements. The letter
was dated Feb. 13 and signed by attorney Joseph Sklarosky, Sr..
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas Leighton says he has been reviewing a steady stream of complaints made against Glodzik. Those complaints claim the city's lone towing operator has repeatedly violated terms of his contract. People have lodged complaints with city council claiming Glodzik has charged them to retrieve stolen vehicles.
Glodzik's letter that threatens litigation claims city leaders, and George in particular, made false and malicious statements about L.A.G. Towing. The letter suggests from an "obvious" and "fair" reading, L.A.G. is abiding by all the terms and conditions of the contract.
The city responded, "The city's internal review of the contractor's performance will continue undeterred." A spokesman later doubled down, telling Eyewitness News anybody who was a complaint against the towing contractor should contact city hall immediately.
Glodzik has fought allegations of contractual violations for more than a year now. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. A message seeking comment tonight was not returned.
Last week, sources close to a federal investigation confirmed the FBI delivered a subpoena seeking records related to L.A.G. Towing. More sources say federal agents placed calls to city officials informing them an investigation was underway. Recently, sources said the IRS had been investigating L.A.G. for several months. It's alleged jurisdiction of the ongoing investigation was recently transferred to the FBI. A detailed email sent to Heidi Havens, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvania's Middle District, seeking comment was not returned.
Legal experts weighing in on the threatened litigation said it was in the city's purview to investigate complaints. Council members, the mayor and other leaders are immune, said an attorney speaking on the condition of anonymity. "There would be immunity as long as the statements were allegedly made in (the) normal course of city business," the attorney said.
Multiple lawyers questioned the intent of a suit that comes nine days after well-placed sources said a federal subpoena arrived at city hall seeking L.A.G. records. Another attorney commented the suit could be viewed as retaliatory if brought based on statements made by council members during the course of their investigation into complaints made by the public about L.A.G.. "It's essentially used when somebody brings a vexatious suit in bad faith, either to intimidate or retaliate, but not for reasons stated in the suit," the attorney said.
Efforts to reach Sklarosky were unsuccessful.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas Leighton says he has been reviewing a steady stream of complaints made against Glodzik. Those complaints claim the city's lone towing operator has repeatedly violated terms of his contract. People have lodged complaints with city council claiming Glodzik has charged them to retrieve stolen vehicles.
Glodzik's letter that threatens litigation claims city leaders, and George in particular, made false and malicious statements about L.A.G. Towing. The letter suggests from an "obvious" and "fair" reading, L.A.G. is abiding by all the terms and conditions of the contract.
The city responded, "The city's internal review of the contractor's performance will continue undeterred." A spokesman later doubled down, telling Eyewitness News anybody who was a complaint against the towing contractor should contact city hall immediately.
Glodzik has fought allegations of contractual violations for more than a year now. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. A message seeking comment tonight was not returned.
Last week, sources close to a federal investigation confirmed the FBI delivered a subpoena seeking records related to L.A.G. Towing. More sources say federal agents placed calls to city officials informing them an investigation was underway. Recently, sources said the IRS had been investigating L.A.G. for several months. It's alleged jurisdiction of the ongoing investigation was recently transferred to the FBI. A detailed email sent to Heidi Havens, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvania's Middle District, seeking comment was not returned.
Legal experts weighing in on the threatened litigation said it was in the city's purview to investigate complaints. Council members, the mayor and other leaders are immune, said an attorney speaking on the condition of anonymity. "There would be immunity as long as the statements were allegedly made in (the) normal course of city business," the attorney said.
Multiple lawyers questioned the intent of a suit that comes nine days after well-placed sources said a federal subpoena arrived at city hall seeking L.A.G. records. Another attorney commented the suit could be viewed as retaliatory if brought based on statements made by council members during the course of their investigation into complaints made by the public about L.A.G.. "It's essentially used when somebody brings a vexatious suit in bad faith, either to intimidate or retaliate, but not for reasons stated in the suit," the attorney said.
Efforts to reach Sklarosky were unsuccessful.
