After a nearly six-month delay, the case against a Scranton businessman and several of his family members who are charged with environmental crimes and health care fraud is expected to proceed following the resolution of a dispute over jurisdiction, a spokeswoman for the state attorney general’s office said.
Bob Bolus Sr., owner of Bolus Truck Parts and Towing Services Inc. and several other businesses, and his son, Brian Bolus, were among the family members charged in June based on an investigation by a statewide grand jury.
The grand jury accused Brian Bolus, 43, of Lewisburg, of illegally disposing of Marcellus Shale drilling waste at the company’s Harrisburg and Milton sites. He is owner of Minuteman Environmental Services Inc. and other companies.
He and his father are also charged with multiple counts of insurance fraud. Prosecutors say the men listed family members as employees of their various businesses, but they did not perform any services. They then made medical and pharmacy claims against Geisinger Health Plan.
Also charged with insurance fraud are Robert Bolus Jr., 48, Bloomsburg; Julie Bolus, 71, Mountaintop; Debra Bolus, Mountaintop; and Sophie Gregory, 50, Bradenton, Florida.
All of the charges were originally filed in Union County. The cases involving the Bolus family members were delayed after Bob and Brian Bolus challenged the jurisdiction.
All parties agreed the health care fraud charges should be heard in Montour County, the home office of Geisinger Medical Center, said Carolyn Myers, spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office. Ms. Myers said a preliminary hearing before a magisterial district judge on the health care fraud charges should be scheduled soon.
The environmental charges against Brian Bolus will head to court after a preliminary hearing that was held Aug. 6. The case has since been transferred to Northumberland County Court, where it remains pending.
Contact the writer:
tbesecker@timesshamrock.com