Westmoreland County suspends new purchasing director

Westmoreland officials for the second time in less than a year suspended the director of the county’s purchasing department.

Daniel Ellingsen, who has been on the job since mid-November, was placed on paid leave early last week for undisclosed reasons. His suspension was changed to unpaid starting Wednesday, Commissioner Ted Kopas said.

Ellingsen, who earns an annual salary of just less than $70,000, was hired late last year to take over the embattled department that saw its former director, Kristopher Cardiff, and his top assistant fired in August. They were let go amid allegations related to unauthorized raises distributed to the four-person staff and two managers.

Ellingsen, according to his LinkedIn page, worked previously as a purchasing supervisor for PNC Bank, UPMC and the Air Force. His hiring was approved by all three county commissioners.

Kopas said he is unable to comment on why Ellingsen was suspended but confirmed no criminal behavior is alleged.

Ellingsen could not be reached for comment.

Cardiff, 47, of Trafford was charged late last year with felony and misdemeanor theft offenses and is free on bond as he awaits trial.

His assistant, Kristen Coyne, also was fired last summer but was not charged. She has cooperated with investigators and testified against Cardiff during a preliminary hearing in December.

Cardiff has denied the criminal allegations and has maintained he believed he had permission from county officials to authorize raises for himself and his staff.

Police said Cardiff received more than $5,400 in additional pay for a year, while Coyne earned about $3,600 extra through the payroll change that extended their workday. Four unionized department staffers also earned additional pay totaling another $800.

The purchasing office buys supplies for county offices and oversees the courthouse mail room and print shop. For now, it will be run by assistant director Charles Varriano, Kopas said.

Varriano was hired by the county in April 2023 and promoted to assistant director of the purchasing department last August, according to the county controller’s office.