PARKSIDE, Pa. (WPVI) — The president of the Parkside Borough Council is facing theft charges after prosecutors say he used a municipal gas card to fuel his personal vehicles.
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office said Council President Dominic Capobianco used the borough-issued card, intended only for municipal vehicles, to fill his own car and his wife’s car.
Charging documents state that Capobianco admitted to using the card for personal use and told detectives he knew he was not authorized to do so.
“I mean, it’s upsetting, it definitely is because tax dollars are supposed to go to things that are very important,” said George Closs of Brookhaven.
Investigators estimate Capobianco stole about $2,500 worth of fuel beginning in the fall of 2024. That same year, the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission cited him also for improper use of taxpayer funds.
State officials found that although Capobianco publicly said he was cleaning the borough building and police station voluntarily and free of charge during the COVID19 pandemic, he later submitted invoices for reimbursement after learning the borough would receive $234,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The invoices were labeled for “Capo’s Handyman Services,” which is not a registered business in the state.
According to the Ethics Commission’s report, “Capobianco intended and believed the Borough understood that the invoices were for direct reimbursement to him in his individual capacity.”
As a member of council, he voted to approve the nearly $8,000 payment. He was fined $4,000 as a result of the violation.
Capobianco has served on the council since 2013. He worked as the borough’s code enforcement officer from 2018 until January, when he was removed from that position after being elected council president.
In a statement, the borough called the new allegations “deeply concerning” and said it is cooperating fully with the district attorney’s office. The borough also said it’s “reviewing and strengthening its internal financial controls and recordkeeping practices” to prevent similar issues in the future.
Some residents say the situation has shaken their confidence in local government.
“I don’t have much trust in them now,” said Parkside resident Michael Dewees. “Like, where is my tax money going at the end of the year? Is it really benefiting me?”
Closs echoed that sentiment, saying, “When you see stuff like this, it becomes very hard to really trust anybody because I get it, times are tough, but as a higher-up like that, you gotta help us out as much as you can and not try to go for it just for personal gain.”
Others said they were not surprised.
“The sun came up today, somebody in the government misused taxpayer dollars,” said Jim Natiello of Swarthmore.
Attempts to reach Capobianco at his home were unsuccessful.
Capobianco was also a member of the all-volunteer Parkside Fire Company. In a statement posted on social media, the company said it does not condone the alleged conduct and has suspended him from all duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
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