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David I. Fallk: Fifty years later, Miranda case reminds of ongoing struggle to ensure justice prevails

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Man wearing only underwear allegedly pointed shotgun at West Pittston police officers

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Leo A. Glodzik III agreed to waive indictment by a grand jury Wednesday and pleaded guilty in federal court to a set of charges that could land the beleaguered former city tower behind bars for up to 33 years.</p><p>Glodzik, 45, of 1009 Morgan Drive, Wilkes-Barre, was <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/527098/leo-glodzik-charged-with-mail-fraud-filing-false-income-tax-form" target="_blank">charged March 31</a> with mail fraud, being a felon in possession of a firearm and filing false tax returns related to an exclusive towing contract between Glodzik&#8217;s LAG Transport, Inc. and the City of Wilkes-Barre. Glodzik&#8217;s contract was formally severed by the city last year.</p><p>On Wednesday, he was arraigned on the new set of charges before entering a guilty plea on each count. Prosecutors said he faces a maximum penalty of 33 years in prison and fines totaling up to $750,000, as well as three years supervised release, prosecution costs, denial of benefits and a $300 special assessment.</p><p>However, if Glodzik can &#8220;adequately demonstrate recognition and affirmative acceptance of responsibly,&#8221; prosecutors will recommend a reduced offense level for sentencing, according to the 27-page plea agreement.</p><p>Glodzik, clad in a black suit and white shirt, told U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo he was aware of the penalties associated with the charges and acknowledged giving up his right to appeal the conviction.</p><p>His attorney, Joseph F. Sklarosky Sr., affirmed to the judge that Glodzik&#8217;s forfeiture of his appellate rights was the right move.</p><p>&#8220;After considering everything that has transpired and considering discussions with the U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office, I&#8217;m convinced it is in my client&#8217;s best interest to do that,&#8221; Sklarosky said.</p><p><a href="https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/424448/former-wilkes-barre-towing-contract-leo-glodzik-granted-parole-after-serving-theft-sentence" target="_blank">Free on parole since September</a> after serving a three-to-12 month theft sentence, Glodzik was released on his own recognizance following Wednesday&#8217;s proceeding. The now-convicted felon declined to comment outside the courthouse.</p><p>In exchange for Glodzik&#8217;s plea, bank fraud charges against him in the Wilkes-Barre City Employees Federal Credit Union case will be dismissed and no further charges against him regarding the case will be sought, prosecutors said.</p><p>Former city police officers Jason Anthony and Tino Ninotti await sentencing in the case, which prosecutors said involved Glodzik supplying a false a vehicle identification number used by Ninotti in a loan transaction.</p><p>The federal charges, meanwhile, allege Glodzik hashed a scheme to rip off vehicle owners by overcharging or by hindering access to vehicles placed in storage in an effort to extract additional fees. To discharge the fees, owners would often be forced to sign over their title to Glodzik, prosecutors said.</p><p>Prosecutors said Glodzik then used procedures administered through PennDOT to transfer the vehicles&#8217; ownership, but claimed in forms submitted through the mail their values were much lower than their actual cost.</p><p>The ploy resulted in Glodzik being able to sidestep legal advertisement of the vehicles as well as avoid making payments to the state of money received for vehicles sold at auctions, netting Glodzik a profit in the process, prosecutors allege.</p><p>Glodzik, prosecutors said, falsified his tax return when he claimed zero taxable income in 2008 when his actual taxable income for that year was $408,618. The plea agreement does not pardon Glodzik from any action the IRS could potentially seek, the document says.</p><p>Glodzik&#8217;s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 16 at 10 a.m.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Former city tower Leo A. Glodzik III, center, leaves the U.S. Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre with his attorneys Wednesday morning after he appeared in federal court for an arraignment and plea agreement hearing. Glodzik accepted prosecutors&#8217; plea offer, pleading guilty to mail fraud, filling a false tax return and owning a firearm while being a felon. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL042816glodzik.jpg</photo0><caption0>Former city tower Leo A. Glodzik III, center, leaves the U.S. Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre with his attorneys Wednesday morning after he appeared in federal court for an arraignment and plea agreement hearing. Glodzik accepted prosecutors&#8217; plea offer, pleading guilty to mail fraud, filling a false tax return and owning a firearm while being a felon. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Judge: Former city tower to be sentenced in August</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Dolinsky</p><p>jdolinsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Former city tower Leo A. Glodzik III pleads guilty to charges of mail fraud, filing false income tax return