Private criminal complaints filed against two Luzerne County officials related to the state Sunshine Act have been closed without further action, according to a letter from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
County Council members Chris Belles and Joanna Bryn Smith had filed the complaints in April over closed-door meetings of the commission that recommends opioid settlement fund awards to the council for its consideration.
Belles and Bryn Smith both filed complaints against Councilman John Lombardo, who had been filling a council-appointed seat on the commission. Belles also filed a complaint against county Manager Romilda Crocamo, who had served as commission chair.
The state AG’s Office provided this written determination:
“Please be advised that this office has concluded there is insufficient evidence to support any prosecutable charges outlined in the criminal complaints. We therefore decline to authorize further proceedings related to the complaints. This matter is now considered closed by the Office of Attorney General.”
Created by the council in 2023, the Commission on Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement had taken the position that its meetings were not public based on court case law because it is advisory and not a decision-making body. However, it agreed to meet publicly, starting with its April 1 meeting, after several council members challenged that interpretation.
The complaints were filed with Magisterial District Judge Thomas F. Malloy Sr. in Wilkes-Barre. County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, who also serves on the opioid commission, said his office received the complaints around June 16, and he forwarded the matter to the state AG’s Office on June 26 due to a conflict of interest.
Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., of Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., represented Crocamo and Lombardo and had said the “baseless” complaints had “zero legal merit” and were “yet another example of an ill-conceived attempt to weaponize the criminal justice system for political gain.”
Bryn Smith and Belles had issued statements at the time of the filing saying they were motivated by their confidence the state Sunshine Act was violated and that they are committed to government transparency and accountability.
Lombardo said Wednesday he appreciates the AG’s office for “confirming what we already knew,” which is that he and Crocamo did “not do anything improper or illegal in following advice of our own office of law” regarding whether the meetings had to be public.
“I really hope we can move past the desire to cause political harm to other members of County Council and get back to actually governing,” Lombardo said.
Crocamo, an attorney, thanked the AG’s Office staff for its thorough investigation.
“I am relieved that the private criminal complaint filed against me has been found to be without merit. This chapter is now behind me, and I am moving forward, focused on the work of serving the people of Luzerne County,” Crocamo said.
“The people of Luzerne County come first. That has been my guiding principle throughout my career in public service, and it will continue to be. I remain committed to the work ahead, delivering responsible, effective government for every resident of this county,” Crocamo added.
In response to the AG’s decision, Belles said he respects “the diligent work and the seriousness with which this was handled.”
“I respect the outcome. Everyone can be happy with this outcome. We now have a more transparent process in place for opioid committee meetings, and taxpayers have more trust in government processes and procedures,” Belles said.
He also spoke positively of Crocamo.
“To her credit, Manager Crocamo faced this charge while gracefully maintaining a strong working relationship with me as we worked closely on several important business items for the county. I commend her, and I look forward to continued collaboration with her to get things done for the taxpayers, residents, and employees of Luzerne County,” Belles said.