TRR photo by Pat Camuso Harry Geiger is pictured hurrying from thd Pike Courthouse. (Click for larger image)

Former Pike sheriff pleads guilty to felony

Judge “Puzzled”

By PAT CAMUSO

MILFORD — On Friday, May 10, former Pike County Sheriff Harry L. Geiger pleaded guilty to one violation of the Commonwealth’s Ethics Act, a felony, and one misdemeanor charge of “criminal solicitation to commit tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.”

Attorney General Mike Fisher filed charges against Geiger on October 23, 2001 following a grand jury investigation that charged him with using inmates, from the Pike County Jail, to remodel his daughter’s Wayne County farmhouse and to put a new roof on his Pike County home.

Geiger entered his guilty plea in the Pike County Courthouse in front of Judge Edward Biester Jr. of Bucks County, who was brought in to preside on the case. Geiger arrived at court alone and was accompanied by no one except his council during the proceedings.

Deputy Attorney General Robert O’Hara prosecuted. Salvatore Cognetti Jr. of Scranton represented Geiger.

Geiger waived any pre-sentencing rights and was sentenced on the spot.

Cognetti told the court that Geiger’s punishment began with the indictment. The former sheriff of 16 years had an otherwise unblemished record and the loss of “respect and prestige in the community is punishment in itself,” he said.

Cognetti

Arguing that his client had suffered enough and that “justice has been served,” Cognetti begged the judge to consider Geiger’s heart problems and that he is currently under medical care and said, “age is a hindrance to repentance.” He explained that, at 68 years of age, time is short, Geiger will not have the opportunity to rebuild his good name and credibility, thus adding to his punishment. He has the loss of face Geiger has suffered in front of friends, family and colleagues, he argued.

Asking the court for leniency in sentencing, Cognetti reminded the court that Geiger cooperated completely with the authorities once under indictment and “did not overburden the system.”

When the judge gave Geiger an opportunity to comment, Geiger first turned to his lawyer, “Tell him you’re sorry,” said Cognetti in a low tone. “Tell him you’re sorry now.”

“I want to say I’m sorry,” Geiger said to the judge. “Not just for myself, but for the people I hurt and who supported me for a long time.”

Judge Biester asked Geiger if he was married, about his offspring, military record and schooling before saying, “This case puzzles me.”

“You seem intelligent,” said Biester. “People trusted and respected you for a long period of time.” The judge said that Geiger, in accepting his role as county sheriff, had entered into a “pact” with the people of the county. He said, “When high office betrays this trust there’s a two-fold effect.” He explained that “democracy doesn’t work” and the “people become cynical.”

Biester called Geiger’s crime “a betrayal that goes beyond the law and the people suffer.”

“I’m struck by your efforts to cover it up,” said Biester, alluding to charges that Geiger ordered a deputy to tamper with duty logs. “And disappointed that you did it while enlisting the help of another public servant.”

“These offences are serious,” Biester said. “You gave inmates a sword to hang over you. You sir, puzzle me. When sentencing I look at the whole history, however. The whole person, yours is significant to your benefit. A sudden loss of respect is exquisite punishment. In a real sense a certain amount of punishment started the moment you were charged,” Biester said.

Biester sentenced the former sheriff to three year’s probation, court costs and full restitution to the county with 30 days to pay, once the county solicitor determines that figure.

Geiger was originally facing possible fines in excess of $60,000 and up to 40 years in a state penitentiary. Geiger refused any comment before and after Friday’s proceedings.

Following the sentencing, Deputy Attorney General Robert O’Hara said he thought the judgment was “appropriate.”

“It’s a sad day for Geiger,” Cognetti said.