Local mayor accused of taking gun from town’s police department

**Statkowski** · January 29th, 2015, 04:52 PM

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/...-depart/njx8n/

SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. —
The mayor of South Connellsville accused of taking a gun worth more than $800 from the town’s police department faced theft charges Tuesday.

Peter Casini, the mayor of South Connellsville, allegedly transferred a gun from the borough into his name without authorization from council.

Not clear in the article, but it looks like he was supposed to dispose of some firearms but didn't quite?

**Deleted** · January 29th, 2015, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Statkowski

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/...-depart/njx8n/

Not clear in the article, but it looks like he was supposed to dispose of some firearms but didn't quite?

I took it that they were selling police department issued firearms.... and say instead of selling two, he sold one and transferred one.

**libra8** · January 29th, 2015, 10:44 PM

Either way he did it illegally.

**robert slabaugh** · January 30th, 2015, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by libra8

Either way he did it illegally.

Just another day here in Fayettenam, where the county commissioners appoint dead people to sit on committees! Look up corruption in the dictionary, there's a picture of Fayette County!

**Qtrborecrazy** · January 30th, 2015, 10:42 AM

Thats almost as good as the cop who helped himself to smoking dope from the evidence locker because he was depressed up our way.

**Bellerophon** · February 23rd, 2015, 01:59 AM

http://www.heraldstandard.com/new_to...3d71f84f5.html

From the article. Pretty much sums up the whole scheme....

Police allege that Casini transferred the ownership and possession of a Heckler & Koch handgun from the borough to himself after being advised by council the weapon was to be retained by the borough.

Court documents reveal that former police Chief Kevin Grippo alerted Council President Guy Napolillo and Councilman Neil Armstrong that Casini had transferred the Heckler & Koch handgun after the two had gone to an area gun store to transfer a Smith and Wesson handgun from the borough to Grippo for $300.

Earlier in the year, council sought ways to purchase new ballistic vests for police officers and determined it would sell five unused Smith & Wesson handguns to defray the cost of the equipment.

While the Heckler & Koch handgun was initially considered for sale, council determined to retain it should it be needed in the future.

Grippo and Casini were directed by council to have the Smith & Wesson guns appraised.

According to the court documents filed by state police Trooper Alec Hamilton, each of the five guns were valued at $300.

Grippo told police that in addition to the Smith & Wessons, Casini also took along the Heckler & Koch and had it appraised.

Although he overheard the store owner advise Casini the weapon had a value of $600, Casini told Grippo it, too, had been appraised at $300.

When Grippo transferred the Smith and Wesson from the borough to himself, Casini also transferred the Heckler & Koch, according to the criminal complaint.

Later, when Grippo paid the borough $300 for his purchase, Casini also turned over a $300 check for the Heckler & Koch, noting on the check it was for a “handgun,” said Hamilton in the court documents.