Volunteers Of American Show Big Hit For Good Cause

Alleged Levee Raising Damage Brings Suit

Saturday, November 20, 1999 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 10A 





Luzerne County Deputy Sheriff Heather Zawatski is certainly within her
rights to refuse to speak to Wilkes-Barre police about an early-morning car
crash that damaged her father's car. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So is her father, Sheriff Carl Zawatski, who told police he was behind the
wheel of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo when it plowed into a utility pole around 2
a.m. on Oct. 22, but has since been uncooperative. Police say they suspect
Heather Zawatski, who had been drinking in a nearby bar for hours, may have
been driving. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We are disappointed that two of the county's ranking law enforcement
officers would refuse to cooperate in the investigation, which is being
conducted in conjunction with the state Attorney General's Office. The
Zawatskis' position leaves state investigators no other option than to take
the case before a grand jury. We believe they should do so as soon as
possible. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In the 1998 case involving county Commissioner Frank Crossin's
post-cocktail collision with a light pole, omissions made early in the
investigation meant no charges could be considered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We would hate to see that happen in the Zawatski case too. It would only
further tarnish the reputation of local law enforcement and deepen public
cynicism about favorable treatment extended to public officials. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A grand jury would have the power to subpoena witnesses and evidence and
try to pin down answers to some of the many questions in the Zawatski case: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Did anyone see the Zawatski Monte Carlo outside the bar on Oct. 22 or see
either of the Zawatskis behind the wheel on that date? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If Heather Zawatski was not driving the Monte Carlo, how did she get home
that morning? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Where was the sheriff going when he allegedly swerved to avoid a dog and
hit the pole? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Why did the driver choose to attempt to drive the badly damaged car away
from the scene? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Why were police not notified until after the car had been towed to a Plains
Township garage? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Who drove the tow truck and what did he or she see on that morning? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Those are just a few of the lingering questions the public is asking. The
quicker the state Attorney General's Office gets down to business before a
grand jury, the better the chances that some of them might be answered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Zawatski Case Belongs Before A State Grand Jury