`connected Mathematics Project' Introduced

2nd Murder Figure To Be Retried 
Ruling Means That Both 
Men Convicted Of Murder 
In Death Of Andrew Danko 
Will Get Opportunity To 
Have The Verdict Overturned

By JENNIFER LEARN; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Thursday, January 08, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2A 





HAZLETON- An investigation of alleged theft and bid-rigging in the Hazleton
Area School District has fizzled, mainly because the district had messy
records and took too long to contact police, state and county investigators
announced Wednesday night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Most of the investigation focused on Lou Casari, a former district federal
programs and audio-visual director accused of giving district audio-visual
equipment to his friends and relatives. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A December 1995 report by private investigators hired by the district said
Casari gave away district-owned equipment while he worked for the district and
used district equipment to record conversations in his Hazle Township doughnut
shop. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite the findings, the School Board gave Casari a special retirement
package that included a confidentiality agreement that barred any public
discussion of the investigation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A year later, the board responded to complaints from taxpayers and asked
Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. to investigate
Casari. Olszewski turned the case over to state police at Troop N in West
Hazleton. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At a press conference Wednesday night, Olszewski said state police had no
way to prove equipment was stolen because the district had not followed its
policy to keep an inventory of equipment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, a witness who told the private investigators about Casari's suspected
theft of district equipment would not talk to police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Olszewski said School Board members told investigators the district
solicitor advised them not to seek an investigation and to approve the gag
order. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The district's internal investigation also said Casari used district
employees and equipment for his non-profit Pa. Coalition for Parent
Involvement. Olszewski said Casari did not commit a crime because he got
permission to use district staff and supplies from former district
superintendents. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Casari has repeatedly denied stealing or misusing district equipment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In April the district also asked Olszewski to investigate allegations of
bi

Hazleton Area Investigation Thwarted Substandard Administration Impeded Their Probe Of Alleged Theft And Bid-rigging, State And County Agents Say