A Nanticoke lawmaker was interviewed by a crew from “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” about a $5.6 million federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski. The report is set to air tonight.

State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, said the broadcast will examine earmarks, specifically the grant that was intended to fund a parking garage in downtown Nanticoke. That project, which ties into the revitalization of the city’s downtown, has been downgraded to a surface parking lot.

Yudichak said he told a CBS reporter that Kanjorski tried to transfer the money to other projects in the 11th Congressional District – one to the Hotel Sterling in Wilkes-Barre, and one to a Scranton project.

Chris Scholl produced the segment and Sharyl Attkisson will report the story. Scholl declined to discuss details of the report but confirmed it is scheduled to air tonight during the 6:30 broadcast.

Nanticoke officials were upset when they learned the $5.6 million may have been redirected to other projects. Kanjorski has since met with the city officials to assure them the money is still available for the Nanticoke project.

Yudichak said he believes tonight’s report will focus on how Kanjorski, a 12-term Democrat, treats the federal funds as “free money.”Full Article and Source