AG Charges Former Scranton Schools Employee - Scranton Citizen
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AG Charges Former Scranton Schools Employee

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced charges today against Daniel Sansky, the former fleet manager for the Scranton School District.  Sansky, who left his position in 2017, is charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds, criminal conspiracy, and other felony offenses.

The Attorney General launched the investigation following a stinging report released by the Pennsylvania Auditor.  Investigators determined that Sansky, through his auto body shop, Danny’s Auto Service, overbilled and double-billed for work performed on district vehicles. Sansky was charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds, criminal conspiracy and other felony offenses.

“This individual took advantage of the trust placed in him as a district official and allegedly defrauded the Scranton School District of hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “To the people of Scranton who have been calling out for an investigation, and for more openness, transparency and honesty in their government – we heard you. Let me be very clear – this investigation is live, active and ongoing, and no one is above the law.”

Sansky routinely overbilled or double-billed for work, once claiming that Danny’s Auto Service changed 114 tires on one garbage truck over a 40-month period. In one of these instances, Sansky billed the district for tires on that truck on May 15, 2017 and May 18, 2017 – submitting separate invoices that he installed eight new tires – then replaced those same eight tires three days later and disposed of the old tires. After Sansky was replaced as fleet manager, the same truck only needed one new set of tires over a seven-month period.

During the execution of a search warrant at the auto-body shop owned by Sansky, no receipts were found for the purchase of these tires. Investigators believe that Sansky overbilled the district $53,215 for just these 114 tires.

Sansky and his wife, Mary Ann – who own Danny’s Auto Service on West Elm Street in Scranton – received health benefits through Scranton School District until May 1, 2017, even though Sansky was not an employee of the district in his role as fleet manager. Since the district was self-insured, it could legally offer insurance to sub-contractors.

Scranton School Board member Paige Gebhardt Cognetti told WNEP News that Sansky may have defrauded the district of $1 million.  She said, “We can’t get back to solvency without the public trust. We can’t get there if we still have malfeasance going on within the district. I do think this board is committed to rooting that out. We face an uphill battle, but this is very, very helpful in that effort.”

Sansky was taken into custody this morning by members of the Pennsylvania State Police and agents from the Office of Attorney General. The case will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Erik Olsen.

“As Attorney General, I take public corruption seriously wherever we find it,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “I will not allow any person in a public office to abuse their position of authority. I want to thank the Pennsylvania State Police for their assistance with this case. This investigation is ongoing and we’ll follow the facts and the evidence wherever they lead.”

The full text of the grand jury indictment may be accessed here.

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