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Thursday, March 20, 2003 Page: 7A
SCRANTON
Man sues Luzerne
County employee
A West Pittston man has filed a federal lawsuit against a Luzerne County
Domestic Relations Department employee he claims used excessive force in
arresting him for failing to appear at a contempt hearing.
Rudolph Pace, 73, claims he suffered a herniated disc after Robert McManus,
an enforcement officer, kneed Pace in the back as he took him into custody on
Nov. 19, 2001, according to the suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The suit, filed by attorney Richard Orloski of Allentown, says Pace was
leaving his home at 10 p.m., then on Schooley Avenue in Exeter, when McManus
arrived and forced Pace back into the home. McManus then pushed Pace against a
stove and kneed him in the back.
Jim Davis, director of Domestic Relations, said Tuesday that Pace was
wanted for failing to appear at a hearing Oct. 17, 2001, regarding $691.52 in
back spousal support he owed. Davis could not comment on the merit of Pace’s
suit.
Pace’s suit claims McManus did not have an arrest warrant, and that Pace
was arrested and incarcerated without probable cause. In addition to his
physical injuries, Pace claims he suffered sever mental anguish and
humiliation. He is seeking more than $75,000 in damages from McManus.
WILKES-BARRE
Family awarded cash
in crash settlement
A man and two children injured in a car crash were awarded $200,000 in a
settlement Tuesday.
Ann Marie and Kevin Novakowski, of Main Street in Jenkins Township, and
their children, Jenna Novakowski and Andrew McGeehan, were awarded the damages
from the insurance company of Michael Lenahan, of Poplar Street in
Wilkes-Barre.
Court papers say the children on May 7 were passengers in a vehicle driven
by Kevin Novakowski. The vehicle was on River Street in Plains Township when a
vehicle driven by Lenahan crossed the center line and stuck Novakowski’s
vehicle head on.
Jenna Novakowski suffered multiple injuries including a depressed skull
fracture. McGeehan suffered multiple contusions, increased anxiety, limitation
of motion and restriction of activities.
Kevin Novakowski suffered, in part, chest trauma, fractured ribs and
anxiety and depression.
The settlement will be distributed as follows: $64,369 to the law office of
Hourigan, Kluger and Quinn for costs and fees; the remaining award will be
awarded to the Novakowskis and placed in accounts for the children.
WILES-BARRE
Prosecution drops
shoplifting charges
Prosecutors on Monday dropped two separate cases of retail theft charges
against Paul Woychio, 32, because he his mentally incompetent.
The dismissal marks the 12th consecutive case against Woychio to be
dismissed in the past four years.
Police said Woychio on April 23 was inside Lowe’s Home Improvement
Warehouse in Wilkes-Barre Township, when he stuffed numerous items, totalling
$443, in his shirt and tried to leave the store without paying for them.
In the other case, police said Woychio on Sept. 30 entered Lowe’s and was
caught trying to steal more than $325 worth of telephone and fax machine
equipment.
Woychio suffered brain damage in a 1993 motorcycle wreck, leaving him
unable to use proper reason and judgment.
Court papers say the condition is permanent, and that leaves Woychio
virtually untouchable from prosecution because he is considered unable to
understand the charges.
WILKES-BARRE
Doctor sues former
employee for fraud
The owner of a Hazleton medical practice says an employee bilked him out of
more than $500,000, a lawsuit says.
Dr. Seymour Bronstein of Hazleton Cardiology Center filed suit Friday
against Judith Radzwich and her husband, William.
The suit says Judith Radzwich worked as a bookkeeper at the center between
1999 and January 2003. During that time, Radzwich controlled bank accounts
belonging to Bronstein and the center.
The suit states that Bronstein “fraudulently took and converted to her own
use” $545,000 from the accounts and falsified records to “avoid detection.”
Bronstein is seeking more than $545,000.