State seeks reinstatement of Bob Bolus sentence

Feb. 28--The state attorney general's office is asking a judge to direct Scranton-area businessman Bob Bolus to report to prison to serve out the rest of his sentence for his conviction on an insurance fraud charge.

Mr. Bolus, 71, owner of Bolus Truck Parts and Towing in Throop, was convicted in March 2012 of filing a false insurance claim for a 2009 crash involving one of his tow trucks and a truck it was towing. He was sentenced in July 2012 to six to 23 months in prison and served a little less than one month before being released on bail as he appealed the conviction.

The state Superior Court denied his appeal in April. He appealed to the state Supreme Court, which in December declined to hear his case.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sekula recently filed a motion asking Judge Vito Geroulo to order Mr. Bolus to report to prison. Mr. Bolus' attorney, Lea Bickerton of Pittsburgh, argues he should be permitted to remain free on bail as he plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case.

In court papers filed Feb. 19, Ms. Bickerton said Mr. Bolus has until March 3 to file the appeal with the nation's high court.

If he's ordered to report to prison now, it's likely he will serve his entire sentence before the Supreme Court decides if it will hear his case.

Ms. Sekula argues state law says a defendant is entitled to bail only while his or her appeal is pending before a state court. It does not allow for bail pending appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or other federal courts.

A hearing on the matter was scheduled for Jan. 30 but was continued. No new date has been set.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

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