Woman Killed In 2-car Collision 
Two Men Hospitalized 
Following The Tuesday 
Afternoon Accident On 
U.s. Route 11

Act To Prevent, Treat Frostbite 
Frostbite Is A Very Serious Problem, Which, If Not Handled Properly, Can 
Result In Loss Of Fingers, Toes Or Whole Limbs. The Best Way To Avoid This 
Problem Is To Be Prepared For The Cold.

By MARK GUYDISH; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Tuesday, January 14, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





HAZLETON -- Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Andrew Duncan filed
voter fraud charges Monday against Hazleton Department of Public Works
Director Maurice Christino following a state police investigation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Christino voted in Hazleton in 1995 while living in Butler Township, it is
alleged. Duncan filed two charges with District Justice Martin Kane,
Wilkes-Barre. They state: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In filing with the voting commission, Christino declared as his residence a
place or address which he knows is not his legal residence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Christino willfully made a false statement on the official voter
registration application denoting a change of address/residence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 State police in West Hazleton launched the investigation shortly after
Christino allegedly assaulted city Councilman John Tarone in City Hall last
Aug. 19. At the time, Tarone was trying to determine Christino's home address. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tarone contends that Christino attacked him from behind, pinning him to the
floor and beating him in the face and shoulders. Testimony from Council Clerk
Joan Rovinski, the only eyewitness, supports Tarone's version. Tarone suffered
a broken nose and bruises. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Christino faces a separate charge of simple assault in the alleged attack.
A trial date has not been set. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tarone was unsuccessful in obtaining Christino's records from City Hall.
State police had to obtain a search warrant for City Hall to see the records.
Police also reviewed county and state records. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 According to the police affidavit, the investigation showed: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 City Hall records list Christino's address as Box 252, RD 3, Drums, Butler
Township. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As of December 1992, Christino and his wife Elizabeth were registered to
vote in the 1st Legislative District, 6th municipality, 3rd Ward, which is
Butler Township. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Christino and his wife voted in the 1993 and 1994 primary and general
elections in Butler Township. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 1995 Maurice Christino filed a change of address on Jan. 12 to reflect a
new residence at 812 N. Vine St., Hazleton, in the 2nd Legislative District,
12th Ward. County deed records show the Vine Street property is owned by
Maurice and Grace Christino. Deed records show Maurice and Elizabeth own the
Butler Township property. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 1995 Christino voted in the primary and general election in Hazleton,
but his wife voted in Butler Township. Michael Marsicano won the mayoral races
in both the Democratic primary and the general election, then appointed
Christino on his first day in office Jan. 2, 1996. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A Pennsylvania drivers license issued to Maurice Christino in August 1994
listed the Butler Township address. No change of address form, which is
required by law, had been filed as of September 1996. When Christino was
involved in a traffic accident in December 1995, police listed the Butler
Township address in their report. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Several neighbors of the Vine Street address said Christino resides in
Butler Township, not Hazleton. Butler Township Police Chief Charles Altmiller
also said Christino lives in Butler Township. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Contacted at his home Monday evening, Christino said he knew nothing about
the charges and could not comment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tarone also declined comment. "Anything that involves legal matters, I'm
going to let the courts do their job," Tarone said. Tarone and Marsicano were
cleared of disorderly conduct charges stemming from an argument they had
before the alleged assault at City Hall. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council has already called for Christino's removal from office twice since
the alleged assault, but Marsicano has taken no action. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Vote Fraud Charges Filed Against Official 
Hazleton Department Of Public 
Works Director Maurice Christino Was 
Not A City Resident When He Voted There 
In 1995, Say Authorities

Vote Fraud Charges Filed Against Official Hazleton Department Of Public Works Director Maurice Christino Was Not A City Resident When He Voted There In 1995, Say Authorities