Kocis suspects selling male escort service

A Virginia Beach male escort service is for sale with proceeds said to be earmarked for attorneys defending two men accused in the slaying of local gay porn producer Bryan Kocis.

The sale of Norfolk Companions appears on the Web site for Harlow Cuadra, who along with his partner, Joseph Kerekes, is facing murder charges in Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

“We are INNOCENT!,” the Web site reads, “The dollar amount to defend a capital case is over $250,000 combined. We have tried donations and putting up our many personal items for auction to raise these funds. We have not been successful in meeting this demand …”

Attorney Thomas C. Cometa, who is co-representing Cuadra with attorney William Ruzzo, said he was unaware that the business is for sale.

“I was aware that they are making efforts to secure funds for their defense,” Cometa said.

Frank Nocito, who is co-representing Kerekes with attorney Joseph Nocito, denied comment citing attorney-client privilege.

According to Cuadra’s Web site that authorities say is being maintained by a third party, Cuadra says the decision to sell the male escort service is based on a deadline the attorneys set to be paid for their work in defending the two men.

Cuadra, 26, and Kerekes, 33, are scheduled to be formally arraigned on criminal homicide and related charges on Thursday before Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. At that time, the district attorney’s office must notify the court if they intend to seek the death penalty.

Investigators claim in arrest papers that Cuadra and Kerekes killed Kocis, whom they considered their main competitor in the gay porn movie production business.

While operating the male escort service in Virginia, Cuadra and Kerekes maintained an Internet-based gay movie business. Kocis owned Cobra Video, a gay porn production company.

Cuadra and Kerekes attempted to lure Cobra Video model Sean Lockhart to work with their company, but Lockhart was under contract with Kocis’ company.

Kocis was found dead by firefighters who responded to the report of a fire at his Midland Drive, Dallas Township, home on Jan. 24.

Luzerne County Coroner Dr. Jack Consalvo said Kocis died from a slashed throat, and suffered 28 stab wounds to the chest.

Cuadra and Kerekes are also selling personal items, such as clothing, paintings and model cars in an attempt to raise money for their defense. They are also offering to the highest bidder two 45-minute exclusive interviews to the news media or the general public. The starting bid is $500.