6 charged with providing pills to accused drug-dealing councilman

Six people were charged Thursday with supplying pills including opiates to a former Lansford councilman and alleged drug dealer.

The Pa. Attorney General’s office filed charges against Eillen Patricia Hargett, Ellen Lee Crowell, Janet Mary Martino, Michael Vincent Crowell, Nina Renee Hofstetter and Kimberly Ann Kokinda.

Each was charged with one felony count each of possession with intent to deliver, a felony count of participating in a corrupt organziation, and related charges.

They have all been accused of supplying prescription pills including oxycodone to Matthew Walsh, a former Lansford councilman, and his girlfriend Danielle Grochowski. The pills were prescribed to the defendants for legitimate reasons, but the Attorney General’s Office has alleged that they illegally sold them to Walsh and Grochowski.

Walsh and Grochowski were arrested in May following a raid at their Lansford home and Walsh’s business, Walsh Precious Metals.

Walsh resigned from his position on council in October.

The attorney general’s office said Thursday’s charges were the result of Walsh and Grochowski’s cooperation with their investigation.