Scott Binsack couldn't just abscond from parole and slip into hiding.
While on the lam, the former homebuilder and convicted con man has been posting on his blog, YouTube channel and Facebook pages, taunting his accusers, critics, the media and government officials.
Mr. Binsack and partner Steven Crone produced two episodes of what they billed as the reality television show called "Something's Smokin' in Shamokin" in which they depict themselves as well-meaning developers trying to revive the area, while being foiled by local officials and the media. At the same time, they act as self-styled citizen advocates, trying to uncover alleged corruption. The second episode set the table for Mr. Binsack's absconding from parole, describing parole officials' interest in his involvement in a $13.4 million initial public offering of stock, a potential violation of the terms of his parole.
Now an official parole absconder with a warrant out for his arrest, Mr. Binsack continues to post videos - hourlong rants in which he rails against accusers and "haters." He refers to his location as "Narnia," a reference to the fictional fantasy world in the series of childrens' books by C.S. Lewis.
Mr. Binsack is best known as a failed homebuilder, with incomplete work and unpaid bills through his Mansions & Estates LLC. In a video posted Oct. 26, Mr. Binsack appears partially lit in what he called an "undisclosed location" meeting with "powerhouse attorneys." He alludes to a vast conspiracy, including officials from Shamokin and the state, whom he said are trying to stop him from uncovering alleged corruption in the area through his Web show. He makes several unsubstantiated claims about public officials, but said he would reveal them in a "massive civil lawsuit."
"You will see my face and hear my voice and I will not be stopped," he declares.
A key target in Mr. Binsack's often obscenity-laced rants is Shamokin City Clerk Steve Bartos.
While Mr. Binsack has sought to raise discontent in the community, Mr. Bartos said he and other officials have received an outpouring of support.
Jim Moore, a Coal Twp. businessman involved a number of nonprofit and charitable activities, took offense at Mr. Binsack's characterization of Shamokin as a town where no one does anything. He and others organized initially out of concern over Mr. Binsack's criminal record, flamboyance and critique of the community.
The group formed Coal City Revitalization, a nonprofit that has hosted Halloween events, park cleanups and other community enhancements. Few upstanding citizens, he said, give any credence to Mr. Binsack's claims.
"When we got wind of this guy and his background, and he began causing problems and making false accusations, we aligned against him," Mr. Moore said. "We decided to turn that into something positive."
Bounty hunter Scott Bernstein, who has tracked down everyone from bail jumpers to Nazi war criminals, said it's just a matter of time before Mr. Binsack is caught.
"He's playing cat-and-mouse and enjoying it, thinking he can't be touched," said Mr. Bernstein, founder of U.S. Bail Enforcement Agency. "He is obvious cocky, has no lack of self-esteem and is trying to get some public justification for himself and his actions. But eventually he will get caught."
But it may take time, like a traffic stop that results in law enforcement finding a warrant. Parole officers do find absconders, but they aren't investigators, Mr. Bernstein noted. In the grand scheme of things, law enforcement attention goes to the big fish. Mr. Binsack, Mr. Bernstein said, appears to be a "guppy."
Mr. Binsack likely has someone helping him, either directly or indirectly, Mr. Bernstein said, noting that "no one runs on their own."
Leo Dunn, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, said anyone offering assistance to an absconder could face local law enforcement charges of obstruction of governmental administration or hindering apprehension.
Mr. Binsack's posts can only help law enforcement's efforts to find him, Mr. Dunn said. When he is caught, his taunts will come back to hurt him.
"He is sharing these videos with the world," Mr. Dunn said. "Eventually, we will share them with a hearing officer or a judge and they are only going to hurt him."
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com