[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6088906,"mediaKeyId","2878710-3c2af0eb7f2f9fedbfaa9c75586b4940","parentId",2878710,"title","Resident describes alleged contractor fraud, says district attorney office contact was difficult","audioSeconds",284,"startMs",1972000,"endMs",2256000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878710-3c2af0eb7f2f9fedbfaa9c75586b4940&start=1972&end=2256","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878710-3c2af0eb7f2f9fedbfaa9c75586b4940/thumbnail_1972000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088906/Washington-County/Pennsylvania/Resident-describes-alleged-contractor-fraud-says-district-attorney-office-contact-was-difficult","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088906-5def4a234461e0d1b67f98d43e861ad5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773670657&Signature=jWjmgXYuN~tSduSu7yBpqfFIndrVX2nYQc4ylwpM-SsGOh2Hq9eaQaSMy85Q5UY~P1XCQheXOKFUl4BPs5Q7zwkd0XEVVuMJABaXHClR~E955ZSFW-BK8iSop1y1qiG0LLkYL0Ia7E~6-GSlrw6hlAwnGn0EFIOmz6vIYah~CZ6QqqTYRkBbFQS9YRhSRMmRXi2UdrbkPY9iVBJnn6P9vJfOpoVWEYY2W6jfLxXmFi0pTKRwTAnfQRHHC2PqhyMbDX~X6DiToXcV8jUW~jA4e7jKqH6tK~8WvKG6C6CN9TNV6GulNEMhW4z6DlZSlMPbuJ8yX1lERJwhyzMWF8DT-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-04T02:58:46Z","article","Mary Black, a Washington County resident, used the public-comment period at the county commissioners’ meeting to describe what she called a fraud involving a contractor and to say she had difficulty getting assistance from the District Attorney’s Office.

Black told the board that a contractor who visited her home in December 2022 pressured the couple to pay $10,000 on the spot and later provided an estimate she said lacked itemized details and showed a single bottom-line figure of $69,800. “I asked him for an itemized [estimate],” Black said. “I gave him money, and I asked for an itemized, and he would not provide it.”

Black said she filed a civil complaint and that a magistrate later ruled in her favor after the contractor failed to appear at a hearing. She said when she followed the magistrate’s direction to contact the District Attorney’s Office, she encountered delays in scheduling and ultimately an interaction she described as upsetting with a DA office representative. She said the DA’s representative identified the situation as fraud but that the meeting felt abrupt and the representative spoke sharply to her husband. “He screamed at us,” Black said, describing the meeting.

County officials who addressed her during the public-comment period told Black they could refer her to the Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division and try to connect her with resources through the District Attorney’s Office. A county official said, “We can also try to get something through a private program and play through our district attorney’s office as well,” and encouraged Black to speak with a staff member present in the room for follow-up.

The commissioners did not take formal action during the meeting on Black’s complaint; county staff offered to follow up and provide referrals to the state Office of Attorney General — Consumer Protection and to have county staff pursue appropriate next steps.

Ending: The commissioners’ staff asked Black to meet with a staff member after the meeting so officials could collect details and attempt a follow-up; no additional action was recorded on the meeting agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Washington County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment, Mary Black told commissioners she and her husband experienced an alleged contractor fraud and said efforts to get help from county district attorney staff were unsatisfactory; commissioners and staff offered referrals to the state attorney general’s consumer-protection office and to county staff for follow-up.","taxTitle","Washington County, Pennsylvania","taxId",18156,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6088911,"Washington County commissioners approve slate of proclamations, contracts and purchases",2234,100000,2334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878710-3c2af0eb7f2f9fedbfaa9c75586b4940&start=100&end=2334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878710-3c2af0eb7f2f9fedbfaa9c75586b4940/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6088911/Washington-County/Pennsylvania/Washington-County-commissioners-approve-slate-of-proclamations-contracts-and-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088911-f564e28bcf40a220896eb917c86afbf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773670657&Signature=JUHymTmdorXaRyfptpCym2TYUltRlUl2mczRBQOF67z-tf6Qo5n~zYkdUK4NQ8GoFb1WLqxbNiUQ7TYrNFXMCJC1xxC9-Fyfl8iRRfe7gclYO7s15ZVjKxY63VVSYUmCRrTVSaMqKhMmMpMM5dTrZtaVEpMR1Qk0POMqPO-jdoH~EMplFyWy0chbypIIMg-OKRFdAvK5OF4scjjY1m9oU4Mt1gKDNLIa5ioKz58tIJWsLCsnFS1mU2F4aLxQ1-7ZsiRwyUTWNEChWhC~Q3TuWppnrQa72qdhaVhK1QhCmeMmUXwhDQf6qpgLN7aGoClSf1okAN4P8BTRnZjXe-3Xgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a package of proclamations, contract extensions, purchases and grant actions at its April meeting, county officials said.

The board adopted proclamations recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month, proclaimed April 12 as 4 12 Thrive Day, and designated May 1 as Law Day in Washington County. Commissioners also approved a long list of procurement and administrative actions for county departments, including contract extensions, service agreements and equipment leases.

The proclamations were presented by Commissioner Electra Janice and others and were accepted by representatives from the agencies and organizations involved. Jessica Spar of the county Children and Youth Services told the board that the agency and partners served more than 1,500 families and more than 3,000 children in 2024 and that about 90% of those children were safely maintained in their home environments with supports.

On procurement and administrative items, the board approved: extension of the county’s tire contract with West Tire of Washington for the 2025–26 year with an option for an additional year; extension of the Washington County Dam Diagnostics and Repairs contract to EnviroSci Science Inc. for one year with options to extend; and a one-year extension for office-supplies contracts with WB Mason Company Inc. and High Touch Business Services LLC. The board approved the transfer of the 2025 Real Estate Expo custodial bank account to the county treasurer and directed the treasurer to compile a full accounting for the controller.

Other approvals included an addendum to increase ClearPro subscriptions for the District Attorney’s office (listed cost: $300.51 per month the first year, $315.54 the second year and $331.32 the third year, to be charged to the DA’s operating budget); ratification of a memorandum of understanding among 10 counties to share costs for a regional public-safety radio system controller switch; and several corrections- and public-safety-related policy and vendor agreements, including structural-fee applications for the 9-1-1 radio project at multiple tower sites with Crown Castle and SBA (amount not to exceed $50,000).

The board approved the purchase of 5 acres in Hopewell Township from an estate for $40,000 to be paid from Cross Creek Oil and Gas funds and approved final year-end contract adjustments for behavioral health and developmental services totaling $1,898,987 for fiscal 2023–24, with no additional county funds required. Human Services was authorized to submit a five-year HOME-ARP grant application (no county match) and to execute a short-term MOU with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for SNAP outreach and application assistance; the food bank will reimburse the county $3,500 per quarter.

Several county departments were authorized to advertise bids: kitchen and laundry repairs for the corrections facility and the sale of Hangar 26 at the Washington County Airport. The board approved an agreement with Fayette County to provide reciprocal housing for adult offenders at $60 per day plus transportation and extraordinary medical expenses, an office-print upgrade agreement with Ford Business Machines Inc. at $8,860 per month, and a ComDoc maintenance agreement for parts and supplies for 165 county printers at $3,900 per month. The courts’ FTR recording-support renewal for 15 stations ($11,925) will be paid with Act 13 funds.

Other vendor approvals included an environmental assessment agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers, representation agreements for post-conviction relief matters totaling $38,000 for a county-appointed attorney, a Lenovo equipment lease for 29 laptops and docking stations for Children and Youth Services at $1,124.22 per month, fire-alarm inspection services for the Canonsburg Senior Center with Johnson Controls ($740.25), a defibrillator purchase and warranty ($4,659.88), and a Polaris Ranger purchase for the planning commission ($22,810.63) to be paid with Act 13 funds.

All motions brought forward in the meeting were approved by roll call votes in favor by the commissioners present (roll calls in the transcript show affirmative responses by the three commissioners who participated in votes).

Votes at a glance (selection of approved items):
- Approval of minutes dated 03/20/2025 — approved (roll call affirmative).
- Proclamations: Child Abuse Prevention Month; Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month; 4 12 Thrive Day (April 12, 2025); Law Day (May 1, 2025) — adopted.
- Tire contract extension with West Tire — extended for 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 with option to extend another year — approved.
- Dam diagnostics and repairs contract extension to EnviroSci Science Inc. — 05/01/2025–04/30/2026, options to extend — approved.
- Office-supplies contracts to WB Mason Company Inc. and High Touch Business Services LLC — 05/01/2025–04/30/2026 — approved.
- Transfer of 2025 Real Estate Expo custodial account to county treasurer; treasurer to report to county controller — approved.
- Solicitor to provide memorandum on whether the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Washington County Tourism Board are subject to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law — requested and approved.
- ClearPro license addendum for the District Attorney’s office (costs as stated above) — approved.
- MOU among 10 counties for regional public-safety radio system controller — ratified.
- New corrections policy on documentation when bail is revoked and a bench warrant issued — approved.
- Agreement with Crown Castle and SBA for 9-1-1 P25 radio system structural fees — not to exceed $50,000 — approved.
- Purchase of 5 acres in Hopewell Township from the estate of Karen Carroll for $40,000 (funded by Cross Creek Oil and Gas funds) — approved.
- Behavioral Health year-end contract adjustments totaling $1,898,987 (no county funds required) — approved.
- HOME-ARP grant application submission (5-year, no county match) — ratified.
- MOU with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for SNAP outreach (04/01/2025–09/30/2025), reimbursement $3,500 per quarter — approved.
- Advertising for bids: corrections kitchen and laundry repairs; sale of Hangar 26 at Washington County Airport — authorized.
- Reciprocal housing agreement with Fayette County for adult offenders ($60/day, plus transportation and extraordinary medical costs) — approved.
- Office-print upgrade agreement with Ford Business Machines Inc. ($8,860/month) — approved.
- ComDoc printer maintenance for 165 county printers ($3,900/month) — approved.
- Courts: FTR renewal for digital monitoring/support ($11,925) paid with Act 13 funds — approved.
- Environmental assessment agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers — approved.
- Agreement for representation in PCRA matters ($38,000) — approved.
- Lenovo equipment lease for 29 laptops and docking stations for Children and Youth Services ($1,124.22/month) — approved (funded through grants and CYS operating budget).
- Johnson Controls fire-alarm inspection for Canonsburg Senior Center ($740.25) — approved.
- Defibrillator purchase and warranty from Striker Sales LLC ($4,659.88) — approved.
- Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 ATV purchase from Best Line Equipment ($22,810.63, Act 13 funds) — approved.

Context and next steps: Several items will require implementation by county staff, vendor invoicing and, in some cases, additional legal review (the solicitor was asked to prepare a memorandum on Right-to-Know applicability to two local organizations). The treasurer will produce a report on the Real Estate Expo account activity for review by the county controller. Some purchases will be charged to department operating budgets or specific funding sources (Act 13 or Cross Creek Oil and Gas, as noted).

No contested roll-call votes or recorded no votes were reflected in the meeting transcript; each listed motion received affirmative roll-call responses from the commissioners present.

Ending: The board adjourned after finishing the agenda and announced the next regular meeting in the same room at 10 a.m. on April 17, 2025.","The Washington County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved multiple proclamations and a series of contract extensions, purchases and grant actions during its April meeting, including proclamations for Child Abuse Prevention Month and PA 811 Safe Digging Month and procurement and service agreements for county departments.","actionData","errors"]

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Resident describes alleged contractor fraud, says district attorney office contact was difficult

Washington County commissioners approve slate of proclamations, contracts and purchases