Two top officers for Allegheny County Sheriff Pete DeFazio lied to a federal grand jury investigating allegations of campaign finance abuses and other misconduct, according to indictments unsealed Wednesday.
Capt. Frank P. Schiralli and Lt. Cmdr. Richard A. Stewart Jr. lied when they testified they never pressured employees under their command to purchase campaign money-raising tickets, the indictments state.
Lawyers for both men said their clients are innocent.
Agents for the FBI and criminal investigation division of the Internal Revenue Service are still trying to determine whether sheriff's employees pocketed campaign finance contributions and failed to report them as taxable income, said U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.
She said the authorities are investigating whether employees received benefits for making political contributions or were punished for failing to do so.
"It is unusual to bring perjury charges during the course of an investigation," Buchanan said. "But in this case the false statements were blatant."
Schiralli, 52, of McKees Rocks, and Stewart, 57, of Penn Hills, were suspended with pay and stripped of their county-owned cars, said Michael Mullen Jr., DeFazio's executive assistant.
"I recommended that they be suspended after confirming the indictments had been returned, and the sheriff agreed," Mullen said. "They're presumed innocent at this point, and we owe them something for the service they've given to this office."
DeFazio, of Baldwin Borough, will not discuss the indictments or the investigation, Mullen said. DeFazio was first elected in 1997 after the late Eugene L. Coon decided not to seek re-election.
Schiralli, who is paid $70,384 annually, oversees the transportation of prisoners. Stewart, who is paid $71,968 a year, supervises the deputies who provide security in the Allegheny County Courthouse and Pittsburgh Municipal Court.
Stewart, a 27-year veteran, is accused of lying when he denied ever disciplining subordinates who refused to purchase campaign money-raising tickets. Schiralli, a 28-year veteran, falsely testified that he did not keep lists of employees who did and did not buy money-raising tickets, the indictment alleges.
Schiralli, who is accused of lying on Jan. 26, faces two counts of perjury. Stewart, who is accused of lying on March 3 and March 31, faces four counts.
Each count carries a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Both Schiralli and Stewart left court without commenting.
"We're just kind of floored that he was charged," said Schiralli's defense lawyer Robert Stewart, who is not related to Richard Stewart. "We want the trial to come up as soon as possible."
He said his client "has an impeccable record."
Richard Stewart's lawyer, Joseph Williams III, said: "I feel like my client is a victim. We're just trying to understand this."
The indictments struck a Democratic powerhouse. DeFazio is a prolific money-raiser who has collected more than $1 million in campaign contributions in the last six years despite weak opposition.
Stewart made three donations to DeFazio's campaign in 2004 of $100 each on Feb. 4, July 9 and Dec. 1. He also contributed $100 each year from 2001-03.
Schiralli gave DeFazio's campaign $100 in 2003.
Campaigns are not yet required to file paperwork for 2005.
Schiralli, long active in Democratic politics, was a McKees Rocks councilman from 1986-97. His father, Phil Schiralli, worked as an aide for retired state Supreme Court Justice Stephen A. Zappala Sr., the father of the Allegheny County district attorney.
In 1995, Frank Schiralli was convicted of harassment in connection with the beating of a teenager who had been accused of hitting Schiralli's daughter. His defense lawyer was Stephen A. Zappala Jr.
The ties to McKees Rocks are strong in DeFazio's office. His second in command -- Deputy Sheriff Dennis Skosnik -- served as borough mayor from 1986-89.
As a deputy, Skosnik was cleared of a county grand jury accusation that he took bribes from a bookie. But the political fallout cost Skosnik, who lost a re-election bid to Republican Dave Thomas. Skosnik now lives in North Fayette.
Buchanan, a Republican, denied her office is targeting DeFazio's office because he is a Democrat.
"The motive of our investigation is to uncover the truth," she said.
She had one other message.
"It is certainly our hope that the indictments will be seen as a reminder to future witnesses in grand jury proceedings that they are required to tell the truth," Buchanan said.
U.S. Magistrate Francis Caiazza released Schiralli and Stewart on $20,000 unsecured bond each and scheduled an arraignment for Wednesday.
Additional Information:
Candidates
Frank P. SchiralliResidence: McKees Rocks Age: 52 Annual Salary: $70,384 Occupation: Captain in Sheriff Pete DeFazio's office, where he oversees transportation of prisoners. He has worked in the sheriff's office for 28 years. Background: Was a McKees Rocks city councilman from 1986-97; convicted of harassment in connection with the beating of a teenager.
Richard A. Stewart Jr.
Residence: Penn Hills Age: 57 Annual salary: $71,968 Occupation: Lieutenant commander in Sheriff Pete DeFazio's office, where he supervises the deputies who provide security in the Allegheny County Courthouse and Pittsburgh Municipal Court. He has worked in the sheriff's office for 27 years. Background: The highest-ranking black employee in the sheriff's office; served seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
