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Audit: Luzerne County again reduces general fund deficit

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Dorrance Twp. appeals board to decide on dispute

<p>A former Hazleton mayoral candidate has been found guilty of making terroristic threats against the Luzerne County district attorney.</p><p>In a trial July 10 in Northampton County Court, Sean M. Donahue, 48, was found guilty of making threats in an email sent to District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.</p><p>Donahue sent the email to Salavantis in 2012, making reference to gunfire and a firing squad, and threatening to physically harm people if some of his demands were not met.</p><p>&#8220;Give me Liberty or Give me Death, but not necessarily my own,&#8221; Donahue&#8217;s email stated, court records show.</p><p>The jury deliberated for 30 minutes before finding Donahue guilty. Bail was continued, and sentencing will be held at a later date.</p><p>Donahue&#8217;s guilty verdict has been a long time coming. He was initially charged with making terroristic threats and harassment. But that case was dismissed in 2013.</p><p>In 2015, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld the dismissal of the harassment charges, but reinstated the threats count on appeal from the Commonwealth.</p><p>Hazleton Police Chief Jerry Speziale praised the guilty verdict in a press release.</p><p>&#8220;Threats and retaliation against public officials for past official actions can never be tolerated in a free and open democratic society governed by the rule of law,&#8221; said the chief.</p><p>The trial was held in Northampton County after Donahue requested and won a change of venue.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">DONAHUE </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_web1_sean.jpg</photo0><caption0>DONAHUE </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6119 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hazleton man found guilty of threats against Luzerne County DA