Dolzani/Kantner Feud Goes To Court
Dolzani Sues For $1 Over Alleged Kantner Remark To Reporter
(For the April 3, 2008, Call, Schuylkill Haven, PA, & the West Schuylkill Press-Herald)
By Bud Angst
The simmering clash of personalities between two of Schuylkill County’s female county officials has boiled over into a law suit and a claim for monetary damages — $1 plus costs. Both contestants are residents of the Orwigsburg-Schuylkill Haven-Cressona area and are relatively new occupants of the supervisory positions they now hold in county government.
Schuylkill County Administrator Darlene Dolzani last Friday filed the civil court action in the office of the Schuylkill County Prothonotary claiming that County Controller Melinda Kantner damaged her in a telephone conversation with Pottsville Republican & Evening Herald Newspaper Reporter Ben Wolfgang earlier this month.
Dolzani alleges Ms. Kantner, while being interviewed by Wolfgang, falsely stated that Dolzani had been “fired” from her previous employment at the Schuylkill Savings & Loan Association where Dolzani was the manager and an officer.
Specifically, Dolzani’s claim says Wolfgang, in the telephone conversation, asked Ms. Kantner questions about the County Employees’ Retirement Fund which had been the subject of a recent newspaper article in which Dolzani had been quoted.
According to Dolzani’s complaint, Kantner said, “I don’t know why they are asking her. She couldn’t do her job, and that is why she was fired from the bank.”
“The “Statement” is wholly false,” says Dolzani’s complaint and, in fact, she claims, she was employed at the savings and loan institution for 26 years, was the manager-board member there, and was “subsequently promoted to the position of Executive Vice President “ and eventually to President-CEO.
When the Schuylkill Haven institution was acquired by 1st Federal S&L, Pottsville, employment of all the Haven personnel “terminated on the Acquisition Date, in accordance with the terms of the transaction document.” says Dolzani’s Complaint, although she was hired “to serve as a consultant to First Federal” until Dec. 31, 2004.
Furthermore, says Dolzani’s statement, she “has never been fired” either from Schuylkill S&L, 1st Federal, or “any other position of employment she has ever held.”
What’s more, says the Complaint, Kantner’s statement was “not within the authority or scope” of her official position and thus is “not protected by any privilege.”
Dolzani also claims Kantner, when she made the alleged statements, knew she was talking to a newspaper reporter and, although she said the statement was “off the record,” Wolfgang “did not agree or assure (her) that the Statement …would remain off the record.”
Therefore, Dolzani claims, Ms. Kantner’s statement was made ”with total reckless disregard to the damage (it) could cause” which includes Dolzani’s “employability.”
“WHEREFORE,” the suit concludes, “ the Plaintiff requests that this Court enter judgment in her favor and against the defendant, and that the Court impose punitive damages upon the Defendant equal to the sum of:
a. one ($1.00) Dollar, plus
b. All of the Plaintiff’s counsel fees and expenses in bringing and prosecuting this action against the Defendant.
The Suit bears the following official enumeration: No. S-715-2008 and demands a jury trial.
Ms. Dolzani is represented by Atty Harry B. Crosswell, a member of the Williamson, Friedberg & Jones law firm of Pottsville.
Ms. Kantner is represented by Atty. Sudhir R. Patel, a member of the Riley & Fanelli firm, Pottsville. Atty. Patel is also the Solicitor to the Controller’s Office. Ms. Kantner’s husband, John, is also a member of the Riley & Fanelli firm.
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