Police say John Lorenzo posed as other commissioners and interacted as them through social media.
Police say John Lorenzo posed as other commissioners and interacted as them through social media.
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Police say John Lorenzo posed as other commissioners and interacted as them through social media.
A Rostraver Township commissioner is facing multiple felony charges after police said he created fake Facebook pages and posed as two other township commissioners.
Watch the report from Rostraver Township: Click the video player above.
According to the criminal complaint, John Lorenzo, 42, communicated with multiple people on Facebook while using accounts created under the name of two other township commissioners.
Police said their investigation began in March of this year, but court documents show the alleged issues date back to 2019. According to police, the messages varied in topic, but some of them were used to urge support for Lorenzo’s political gain.
In one message, police said Lorenzo sent a direct message to a woman through a fake account from another township commissioner saying « I ask that on Election Day, Nov. 5, that you vote for my good friend John Lorenzo. He is a leader in the community, devoted family man, and exactly what the township needs! »
In a separate message, police said Lorenzo urged the woman to « spread the word » about Lorenzo’s campaign.
Police also charged Lorenzo with harassment after he allegedly used an app to hide his phone number in order to send harassing text messages to at least four people.
Rostraver police Chief John Christner said the department worked with the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office to investigate the claims.
« The are certain unalienable responsibilities you have as a public official and among those responsibilities are public trust and confidence, » Christner said. « When those responsibilities are violated or, at least in question, they need to be investigated. »
Lorenzo’s attorney called the case political following his arraignment Tuesday. Lorenzo released the following statement Tuesday afternoon.
« These accusations will not define who I am. I never thought politics could sink to these depths. These lies have absolutely devastated my family and has my livelihood in jeopardy. But make no mistake about it the truth will come out in the end and I will be vindicated. I have not done anything wrong nor broken any laws. This is all a dirty political driven stunt with a false narrative to smear my name. This is what happens when you do good in the community and a select few want to see you fail and fall.
I stand by my reputation, body of work, and transparency that I’ve shown while not only being in office, or coaching multiple sports over the years, but also through my 25 years of community service and my 2 years as Commissioner where I’ve dedicated everything to this Township. I bleed the Rostraver green and white and will continue to serve the residents of the community with accountability, respect, and integrity. I won’t let these lies faze me or take away from my duty to this Township. I will always be here for each and every one of you.
I am going back to work serving the residents of Rostraver. I do want to Thank you all for the support. My family and I greatly appreciate all the calls and texts of support and encouragement. We can’t thank you all enough. God Bless you all and please keep us in your prayers. »
Lorenzo was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for later this month.

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