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Wednesday, May 10, 1995     Page: 5A

PLYMOUTH — A Plymouth Borough Council candidate has been accused of
misusing funds from a local VFW chapter, club members said Tuesday.
   
Craig “Pug” Gassert, the club treasurer and Democratic candidate for
council, acknowledged using $1,400 to $1,500 of VFW money to pay his own car
insurance and for other personal uses, according to one club officer and a
club member.
    Gassert, when contacted Tuesday night, denied the allegations. “That’s
untrue,” he said, declining to elaborate.
   
He acknowledged the club’s officials have tried to make accusations about
him taking money. “They tried but that’s it,” he said.
   
Durwood Smith, a club officer, said Gassert was accused of taking the
money, and paid back about $1,000 to the club.
   
Clif Madrack, a club member and the administrator of the borough, said
Gassert admitted taking the money during the past few months. He was removed
from the club and faces “court martial” by the state VFW organization, Madrack
said.
   
The club hired attorneys Ed Geist and Ed Hosey to investigate whether
further action, including the filing of criminal charges, should be taken
against Gassert.
   
“The guy’s a crook,” Madrack said.
   
The alleged misuse of funds was reported to the organization during a
meeting at the VFW post on Main Street on Tuesday.
   
Madrack said members were told that Gassert admitted writing several checks
from the club’s account for his own personal use.
   
He said members suspected impropriety but for a period of time were unable
to inspect the records because Gassert had possession of them.
   
“Finally, they got him to turn them over,”he said.
   
Since his admission, Gassert has handed over three money orders totaling
about $1,000 to the organization, Madrack said. He still owes about $400 to
$500, he said.
   
Asked if he made restitution, Gassert said, “You’ll have to talk to a
lawyer about that,” but he declined to give a name of an attorney to call.
   
Gassert, of Palmer Street, added he believes accusations against him are
politically motivated.
   
Gassert is running for a two-year seat on the Borough Council. He is part
of a Democratic ticket that includes mayoral challenger Marlyn Zlotek, and
fellow council candidates Bill Muchler and Dave Jesso.