Glodzik Gets 3-12 Months, Work Release In Theft Case In Wilkes-Barre

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — “An unfair sentence by a timid judge.”

That was how defense attorney Joseph Sklarosky Sr. characterized the three- to 12-month jail term handed down against his client, former city towing contractor Leo A. Glodzik III, following Glodzik’s sentencing on theft charges Friday morning in Luzerne County Court.

County Judge Lesa S. Gelb gave Glodzik until 9 a.m. Friday to report to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, and declared him immediately available for work release. Sklarosky said Glodzik will appeal in the near future.

LAG Towing owner Glodzik, 43, of Wilkes-Barre, was the city’s exclusive tower for more than eight years, until May 31, 2013. That’s the day he was arrested on accusations of stealing $2,100 planted inside a Cadillac he towed four months earlier, believing the car had been seized from a drug dealer. The cash was bait money planted as part of an FBI sting operation.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/1525405/Glodzik-gets-3-to-12-months-in-jail

Wilkes-Barre Employee Claims Retaliation By City

Locator map of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Statistical Area in the northeastern part of the of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SCRANTON, PA — A Wilkes-Barre paramedic said the city “fabricated” a disciplinary hearing against him in retaliation for his suing to expose what he considers insider trading in the sale of city properties and ethics violations.

Tyler Hammond filed a second lawsuit Friday in U.S. Middle District Court, saying the actions of the city and Mayor Tom Leighton are meant to deter him from exercising his constitutional right to access the courts and engage in free speech.

Hammond and his wife Antonia sued the city in 2009, alleging the mayor, who also is a real estate agent, had access to and free use of confidential city information about properties in Wilkes-Barre, including the former Old River Road Bakery.  he city approved — and later terminated — a deal to sell the property to Leo A. Glodzik III, who had the exclusive towing contract with Wilkes-Barre until theft charges were filed against him in May.  The property was sold and Harrold’s Pharmacy is in the process of relocating there.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/814747/W-B-employee-claims-retaliation-by-city

Wilkes-Barre Mayor ‘Disgusted’ By Actions, Suspends Towing Contract

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — As little as Mayor Tom Leighton said about the city’s reasons for suspending LAG Towing’s contract, he said less about other investigations that might involve the tower.

Leighton hastily called a press conference Friday afternoon to announce the suspension following the filing of theft charges against Leo A. Glodzik III, LAG’s owner.

“I am disgusted and disappointed by the actions of one of our city contractors,” Leighton said.  “I will not speculate on his guilt, but actions of this type will not be condoned or excused.  And we demonstrated today they will not be tolerated.”

He would not disclose the full details for the city’s action as it prepares for an arbitration proceeding and the appointment of an independent arbiter to affirm the validity of the suspension within 60 days — in compliance with the terms of the contract.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/561566/Leighton-disgusted-by-actions-suspends-contract

Scripture, Swearing Unleashed At Wilkes-Barre Council

WILKES-BARRE — To get his point across at the city council meeting Thursday, James Gallagher quoted Scripture.

Bob Kadluboski used profanity.

Both speakers decried the administration’s failure after nearly four months to decide on whether to terminate the contract of LAG Towing as complaints mount against the company and its owner, Leo A. Glodzik III.

Gallagher, who regularly addresses council, said he tried to steer clear of LAG but was compelled to talk about it because he was sick of hearing and seeing about it in the news.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/428028/Scripture-swearing-unleashed-at-council