No Criminal Activity In Lower South Zoning Office: DA

LOWER SOUTHAMPTON, PA — Investigators have announced they found no criminal wrongdoing by former Lower Southampton zoning director Carol Drioli or her office.

Instead, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said discrepancies in the office "appear more attributable to her poor bookkeeping and incompetence."

Drioli had come under criticism after a consultant who reviewed two years of zoning records found a high number of irregularities, including missing development plans and multiple projects apparently granted approval without going through the township's typical process.

Township supervisors asked the DA's office to investigate after reviewing the review's findings.

The Bucks County District Attorney's office and the state Department of Labor and Industry both launched investigations into the department's past practices.

"Our investigation into the Lower Southampton Township Zoning Office in general, and into the conduct of Carol Drioli in particular, has concluded," Weintraub said in a written statement. "We investigated discrepancies in the zoning fees and the escrow accounts and found no evidence of criminal conduct by her or anyone else related to that office. Rather, any discrepancies appear more attributable to her poor bookkeeping and incompetence as opposed to criminal activity."

Drioli retired last year after running the township's zoning office for about 16 years.