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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Bethlehem Tp Streetlight Scam Artist Files Bankruptcy

On the eve of a civil trial for damages, convicted streetlight scam artist P.J. McLaine has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, effectively halting all litigation. McLaine and fellow Scranton-area businessman Robert Kearns were convicted earlier this year of defrauding Bethlehem Township after they funneled $832,000 for a streetlight purchase into their personal accounts. Both were sentenced to six months in jail.

In addition to hoodwinking Bethlehem Township officials, municipal officials in Lackawanna, Lehigh, Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties have all lost money from similar streetlight deals, and have called on asked the state Attorney General to intervene.

Kearns and McLaine both face theft charges in Lehigh County as a result a deal with in which Coplay officials entrusted them with $160,182 for a streetlight purchase.

The Scranton duo have insisted that PPL interfered with their business model when it became too successful.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kearns and McLaine are also Mensas.

Seems us dim witted folks that follow society norms and rules are suckers.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I was only ever at one Coplay Boro Council meeting, and that happened to be the night they made their pitch. I had no idea what they were saying, but smelled something.

Anonymous said...

Mensa's rule baby. With bankruptcy they are off the hook. The family jewels are safe and the creditors can go scratch.

Mensa power!

Anonymous said...

Is it true that both of the scam artists are now out of State Prison due to a screw up by Northampton County?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Their sentences were reduced bc the verdict slip failed to ask how much they stole. Frankly, I'd rather get their money than spend money to keep them in the can. They are already disgraced.

Anonymous said...

"screw up by Northampton County?"

The county motto for t5he past eight years.

Anonymous said...

they are laughing all the way to florida with over a million of twp and municipal dough and they are untouchable!!!! way to go...disgraced who gives a shit