Former South Greensburg secretary denied early release from jail

South Greensburg’s former borough secretary will remain in jail after a judge on Wednesday rejected his request for an early parole.

Dennis Lee Kunkle Jr., 56, sought his release from the Westmoreland County Prison more than a year before the end of his nearly two-year sentence for stealing money from the borough where he worked for nearly three decades.

Kunkle, who appeared by video from the prison, contended he was diagnosed with hypertension and is at high risk for serious health problems related to the coronavirus.

Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway, who in December 2018 sentenced Kunkle to serve up to two years in jail, rejected his emergency release request.

“At this time all precautions taken at the jail are sufficient to protect Mr. Kunkle and others,” Hathaway said.

Kunkle was convicted of stealing more than $155,000from the borough over five years. He was sentenced to probation when he repaid the borough $101,000 but was re-sentenced to prison after he later pleaded guilty to stealing his restitution money from his elderly father and lying in court about the source of the funds.

Hathaway said Kunkle is not eligible for parole on the original theft case until June 9, 2021.

Kunkle is scheduled to appear Thursday before Judge Christopher Feliciani on another request for emergency parole from his jail sentence for stealing from his father and perjury.