A campaign supporter for Mike O'Barto, a candidate for Westmoreland County commissioner, said political pressure forced him to withdraw a court challenge seeking to have Commissioner Tom Ceraso thrown off the May 15 Democratic primary ballot.
In an e-mail sent Friday, Patrick Carnicello said Ceraso supporters forced him to drop allegations that Ceraso submitted falsified paperwork with his nominating documents.
"Phone calls had been placed from county offices to the school district of which I (am) employed," Carnicello wrote. "Overall, my employer being brought into this and not having the money I needed, I thought it was better to take care of my family than to follow with the petition. Honesty and ethics had to take a back seat for pressure and lack of money. Big money controls politics and voting."
Carnicello, who works as the transportation coordinator for Hempfield Area School District, yesterday morning formally withdrew his challenges against Ceraso and Virginia Oplinger, of South Greensburg, another Democrat running for county commissioner. Both will remain on the primary ballot along with O'Barto, a Unity Township supervisor, and incumbent Tom Balya.
Ceraso denied he applied any pressure and said he was prepared to fight Carnicello's allegations. He also refused to speculate why he was targeted for a challenge.
"I'm going to take the high road," Ceraso said.
In his lawsuit, Carnicello accused Ceraso of not disclosing gifts and trips he received during 2006. But Carnicello included no evidence to support his allegations.
Ceraso has denied he received any gifts or took any trips last year.
O'Barto's campaign has so far focused its attacks on Ceraso's character.
Last week, O'Barto lost out on the party endorsement to Ceraso, a two-term officeholder, and Balya, who has served three terms.
O'Barto denied having sanctioned Carnicello's challenge to Ceraso's candidacy.
Yesterday, Ceraso said he believed O'Barto was behind the effort.
"I think he probably had knowledge of it," Ceraso said.
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