February 16, 2006

Attorney General Corbett announces criminal charges against former Folcroft Borough officials in illegal surveillance case

Joseph Zito

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that agents from the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation have filed criminal charges against two former Folcroft Borough, Delaware County officials in connection with illegal video surveillance at the Folcroft Borough Hall, including the Folcroft Police Department.

Corbett identified the defendants as Joseph Zito, 51, 1548 Warrick Ave., Folcroft and Anthony Truscello, 69, 639 Niblick Lane, Wallingford.  Zito is the former vice-president of the Folcroft Borough Council and Truscello is the former Folcroft Borough Manager.

According to the criminal charges, Zito and Truscello allegedly contracted with private detective agencies to place video surveillance cameras and telephone surveillance equipment in the Folcroft Borough Hall for the purpose of conducting surveillance on members of the Folcroft Police Department. 

Corbett said the case was referred to the Office of Attorney General by Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green on Feb. 10, 2005.  The referral by the District Attorney's office followed a May 2004 complaint by former Folcroft Police Chief Edward Christie concerning possible illegal surveillance and wiretapping at the Folcroft Borough Building.

Anthony Truscello

According to the criminal complaint, Police Chief Christie contracted with a retired veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to examine the Folcroft Police Department for signs of illegal electronic monitoring devices.  Corbett said the discovery of several devices during that examination resulted in Christie's complaint to the District Attorney's office.

On May 19, 2004, Delaware County detectives executed a search warrant at the Folcroft Borough Building, confiscating a variety of electronic monitoring devices as well as a video tape of the Folcroft Police Department locker room showing a female Folcroft police officer changing her clothing.

Corbett said small "pin hole" video cameras were allegedly disguised in smoke detectors in the hallway, squad room and locker room of the police department.  The cameras were allegedly connected to a "monitor room" in the Folcroft Borough Building, where they were linked to a video monitor and video tape recorded.

Additionally, Corbett said monitoring devices were discovered on telephone lines within the Folcroft Borough Hall, capable of intercepting and recording telephone conversations.

According to the criminal complaint, Zito and Truscello contacted a private detective agency, Joseph G. McQuillen and Associates, in December 2002 for the purpose of installing video camera equipment in the Folcroft Police Department.  The defendants allegedly directed that invoices for the installation of the video equipment not make any reference to the detective agency, and also directed that bills indicate that payment was for a "survey for smoke alarms and wiring." 

McQuillen's surveillance equipment was removed from the Folcroft Police Department in January 2003 after McQuillen allegedly refused Zito and Truscello's request to install additional video cameras in the police department, including the locker room area.

Corbett said that in the spring of 2004 Zito and Truscello allegedly contacted the owner of another detective agency, Douglas Forsythe of F-C-I, Ltd., and discussed the installation and placement of video camera equipment in the Folcroft Police Department. 

According to the criminal complaint, Zito directed that bills for the surveillance equipment be identified as "emergency wiring" and that the bills be submitted directly to Zito and not through the Folcroft Borough administration and that the bills be submitted in amounts under $1,000, which would not require borough council approval.  Additionally, Truscello and Zito allegedly directed a borough clerk to alter wording on a bill submitted by FCI, Ltd., purportedly in an effort to disguise the location and purpose of the work.

Below is a list of the defendants and the charges filed against them:

Joseph Zito, 51, 1548 Warrick Ave., Folcroft is charged with two counts of tampering with public records along with one count each of invasion of privacy, criminal conspiracy to commit invasion of privacy, criminal conspiracy to tamper with public records and criminal attempt to tamper with public records. 

Zito faces a possible maximum sentence of 11 years in prison and a fine of $27,500.

Anthony Truscello, 69, 639 Niblick Lane, Wallingford is charged with two counts of tampering with public records along with one count each of interception or disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communications, invasion of privacy, criminal conspiracy to commit invasion of privacy, criminal conspiracy to tamper with public records and criminal attempt to tamper with public records. 

Truscello faces a possible maximum sentence of 16 years in prison and a fine of $37,500.

Corbett said criminal charges were filed today before Glenolden Majesterial District Judge Peter P. Tozer.  The defendants are scheduled to surrender for preliminary arraignment on Feb. 23, 2006, at 9 a.m.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)

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