South Connellsville mayor charged with taking gun from police department

The South Connellsville Borough mayor will be arraigned today on a single felony charge of theft by unlawful taking after he allegedly transferred a handgun from the police department to himself without approval of council.
Peter M. Casini, 69, longtime mayor and former borough police chief, is accused by state police of transferring a new Heckler & Koch (H&K) gun, appraised at $875, to himself in April.
According to the criminal complaint filed with Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr. on Monday, Casini was not authorized to take possession of the weapon.
In the complaint, investigating officer, Tpr. Alec Hamilton said that earlier last year council had agreed that five, unused Smith & Wesson guns in possession of the police department be appraised to determine their value as officials sought to offset the cost of new ballistic vests being considered for purchase for department officers.
Then-police Chief Kevin Grippo and Casini were directed to have the Smith and Wesson guns appraised.
During an interview with Grippo, Hamilton learned that in addition to the five Smith and Wesson handguns, Casini also took along the H&K .45-cal. and had it appraised. Grippo was present when the five handguns were each assessed at $300, but only overheard the gun shop owner advising Casini that the H&K was valued at $600.
When the two returned to the car, Casini told Grippo that the .45-cal. was only worth $300, like the other handguns, according to the complaint.
“Grippo said that (the lesser value) seemed odd since the H&K was unfired and had never been issued,” said Hamilton in the complaint.
When Grippo expressed interest in the H&K, Casini told him that it would not be sold, rather it would be kept by the department as an extra weapon, if needed.
Later Grippo decided to purchase one of the Smith and Wessons and was accompanied by Casini to complete the transfer paperwork, according to the complaint.
At that time Casini took the H&K to transfer the ownership.
When Grippo paid the borough $300 for the Smith and Wesson, Casini included a $300 check in the same envelope.
Borough council President Guy Napolillo said that the H&K handgun “was not one of the guns approved for sale,” by the council, said Hamilton in the complaint.
Borough solicitor Richard Bower said after the borough learned of the incident, the matter was turned over to state police for further investigation.
“Once the borough determined their was cause for concern, the preliminary information was turned over so that an independent investigation could be done,” Bower said Monday.
Bower said it remains unclear what action can be taken by council until Casini’s guilt or innocence is determined.
Casini has been mayor since 1989. He served as chief of police for 15 years before being elected mayor.
As mayor, Casini oversees the three-person police department.
When contacted Monday, Casini said he was not aware of the charge and declined to comment stating that he planned to discuss the matter with Hamilton today. The arraignment hearing before Haggerty will be held at 3 p.m. today.