Judge rules drunk, jailed pilot not entitled to proceeds from sale of his aircraft

A few days ago ANN updated you on the story of John Salamone, the pilot who decided to have a few drinks, go bust Philadelphia's Class B airspace and cap off the evening by buzzing the airport's tower.

His airplane was impounded after he landed, and it was sold by Montgomery County. Salamone and his wife then filed a lawsuit demanding that the county pay them the proceeds of the sale, some $34,000, because they needed the money and the wife shouldn't have to be penalized for the actions of the husband.

County Judge Bernard Moore's reviewed the matter, and has rendered his decision affirming the county can keep the money.

Assistant District Attorney James Staerk told the Morning Call he was pleased with Judge Moore's decision. "This is very good for us," he said. "We had a right to those proceeds because the plane was used during the commission of a crime." He added, however, that Salamone and his wife can still appeal the decision.

Salamone and his wife had argued, through their attorney, Joseph Green, that the government was not entitled to the money, which had been held in escrow since the sale of the aircraft. Green stated that the Salamone's concrete company had lost business, and Michelle Salamone's financial situation was so grim she had to take a job working as a waitress.

Staerk, on the other hand, painted a completely different picture, that of an upper-middle-class family which paid thousands to store the Piper aircraft while it was impounded, and have a $2,300 mortgage on their home.

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