Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli has refused to comment on $1,900 worth of campaign donations from a deceased family friend that was implicated in a human trafficking and prostitution ring that was broken on Friday.
The Tribune Review reports that campaign finance records from Cerilli showed that there were four donations from Henry Caruso that dated back to 2015. Caruso died after he was suspended with pay from his job as Westmoreland County Prison Guard after it was revealed he was part of the investigation of ongoing grand jury investigation into the human trafficking ring.
Caruso’s wife, Hui Xu, and four others were charged on Friday for their part in the ring. The investigation revealed that Caruso’s bank account was used to launder proceeds from the massage parlors, and money from the criminal enterprise was used to pay for Caruso’s vehicles and his daughter’s education.
Cerilli said that she would not comment at any time out of respect for Caruso’s daughter and wife.
