A judge dismissed a Johnstown man’s Right-to-Know petition, ruling in favor of Cambria County.
Johnstown resident John DeBartola requested employee and salary information for the Cambria County Child Development Corporation with the Office of Open Records. He then filed a petition, claiming the CCCDC did not fulfill his request.
Judge Tamara Bernstein ruled that the county did comply with his Right-to-Know request: “the County has provided all records required by the Final Determination,” court paperwork states.
DeBartola responded to the ruling in a statement to WTAJ:
“What are they hiding inside these accounts? Where is the money really going? Whom are they protecting besides themselves? Who is sponsoring their campaigns? Lots of questions. The CCCDC’s 990 tax forms show over 99 percent of their money come from tax dollars and I believe that information should be released under the right to know law. I do not agree with Judge Bernstein’s ruling.
Complying with the “Court” order and being honest with what is really going on is two different agendas. When will our political system stop the smoke and mirrors game and end the corruption? I will be appealing to the Commonwealth Court as I question who monitors these accounts? Who oversees the monitor? Why is the system not working? How can it be changed? Why is no one concerned?”
Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky also responded to the court’s decision:
“Cambria County has responded above and beyond what’s related to county business. The dismissal of this case shows the county has been transparent and has fully complied with the law,” Chernisky said in a statement to WTAJ.
Another Right-to-Know lawsuit against the Cambria County District Attorney’s office is still ongoing. Wednesday, Cambria County Commissioners approved legal counsel for the DA.
“This question about financial records being released to the public is an open question at this point. I think most people can understand the common sense of not releasing all the information about how drug investigations operate,” said Cambria County solicitor William Barbin.
The Cambria County District Attorney’s legal counsel agreement will cost no more than $10,000 and will end in December 2017.