PA Law Blogs » Scranton, PA

Police Apprehend Scranton Man Wanted on Child Rape Charges

Michael Monheit — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:00:08 +0000

Sex crimes are devastating, especially to young victims, who have their whole lives ahead of them. Parents and guardians can take proactive steps to prevent these incidents by getting a better understanding of sex crime laws in Pennsylvania and by learning how to use the Department of Justice’s Megan’s Law Web site, which lists sex offenders in the area by zip code.

Recently, a 30-year-old Scranton man, accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, was arrested in New Jersey after he did not show up to a Department of Corrections halfway house where he was serving time for drug charges. According to a news report in The Times-Tribune, the Scranton resident escaped to New Jersey after allegations surfaced that he assaulted the child at her family’s residence in June.

The man has been charged with escape, child rape, aggravated indecent assault of a child and endangering the welfare of a child. The man is expected to be extradited to Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
In such incidents, the victims as well as their families go through a great ordeal recovering from the crime. It is important to keep in mind there are a good number of resources that are available to help PA crime victims in the recovery process, holding guilty parties accountable, and also in acquiring restitution.

Scranton Autistic Children Abuse Case Settled

Michael Monheit — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:00:40 +0000

A federal judge in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has approved a $5 million settlement for families of seven autistic children, who were allegedly abused by their teacher. According to a UPI news report, the settlement marks the conclusion of a federal lawsuit against the teacher and northeastern Pennsylvania school district.

The lawsuit, filed in 2006, alleged that the school district had covered up reports from class aides that the teacher physically abused the students. According to reports, she pinched, hit and tied them up with duct tape and bungee cords. Court papers alleged that the teacher violated the autistic students’ civil and constitutional rights, as well as the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Each family will get between $400,000 and $1.2 million, under this settlement.

Parents put their trust in education professionals to keep their children safe; however, some teachers and teacher aids do not deserve this trust. There is no excuse for child abuse and mistreatment within school districts or through any other institution. The violation of civil or constitutional rights is a serious legal issue. Many among us do not realize that we are afforded certain rights under the U.S. Constitution. These types of lawsuits and settlements demonstrate how the civil justice system continues to be an effective method for Americans to protect their legal rights.

Act 47 Hearing to be Held in Scranton

Deborah Forrister — Wed, 12 May 2010 10:00:45 +0000

The economy has presented several challenges to cities and operating businesses throughout Pennsylvania, and Scranton is no stranger to financial strain. An employee’s right to bargain over wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment with an employer, is something that most workers value within the structure that makes up collective bargaining. Even when money is tight, such negotiations should not be tossed aside.

Based on a CitizensVoice report, a hearing will be held shortly in Scranton, Pennsylvania by the House Labor Relations Committee regarding new legislation on maintaining the collective bargaining rights of municipal employees in relation to PA’s financial recovery program for struggling cities.

According to the report, Scranton is a city that falls under Act 47 as a “financially distressed” city. While officials are looking to help the city regain monetary balance, some are in favor of making sure that recovery plans do not initiate alterations to employee contracts that are not structured to lighten financial grief. As recovery plan issues relating to city police and firefighters currently make their way amidst state courts, the bill has received support from the Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.

A Times-Tribune report mentions that Scranton’s Law Department as well as the DCED are involved in the city’s involvement with Act 47, also referred to as PA’s distressed-municipality law. At the time of the report’s release, it was noted that meetings regarding the creation of a new financial recovery plan for Scranton would not be closed off to the public.

Mediation in Scranton Resolves Frazetta Siblings’ Estate Quarrel

Deborah Forrister — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:21:11 +0000

It is difficult enough for most siblings to get along without the issue of an elderly parent’s estate reaching its boiling point. While several arguments over an estate are directly related to money, in many situations, family members let their emotions, mistrust, or past experiences that have affected their relationships with other family members fuel disputes over the distribution of assets, property and finances. With communication out the window, reaching a resolution becomes more of a challenge and usually requires help from outside professionals.

The children of famous fantasy artist Frank Frazetta experienced their own family quarrel over an estate worth tens of millions of dollars. A New York Times report discusses the tumultuous months leading up to a final resolution that was reached after two days of mediation in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Apparently, multiple lawsuits were filed in Pennsylvania and Florida as the Frazetta siblings fought over their 82-year-old father’s estate. One of the Frazetta siblings had a lawsuit filed against him in Scranton in March by three of his siblings alleging that he illegally and improperly used their father’s name and art for commercial gain.

Frazetta’s work – some of the most well-known sci-fi and fantasy art covers and illustrations of over 150 books, comic books, album covers, movie posters and original paintings- was transferred to a company managed by the three siblings who sued their brother. In response to the suit that he had no right to market or sell Frazetta’s work, the sibling countersued in Florida just a week ago. The same sibling was found breaking into Frazetta’s museum in December, attempting to take 90 paintings insured for $20 million so that they could be kept safe from his siblings. After family members decided that they did not want to go forward with the case, the theft and burglary charges were dropped against the brother.

The Frazetta estate feud emphasizes how quickly matters surrounding inheritance distribution can get out of hand, and this is often the case whether or not an estate is worth millions. While it may not be a painless road ensuring that everyone is satisfied with how an estate is devised, those within the estate law field as well as probate attorneys make it their responsibility for a fair and just compromise to be made regarding the complex distribution of property from an estate.