Man Accused In Cub Scout Scam Skips Hearing

NBC Philadelphia Affiliate ^ | 2/6/03 | Associated Press

[RonF]

Suspect Declared Fugitive On More Than 40 Charges

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- A father accused of scamming neighbors by dressing his 7-year-old son in a Cub Scouts uniform and going door-to-door seeking donations for a nonexistent scout pack failed to show up for his preliminary hearing.

Anthony M. Herman, 46, of Bethlehem, was declared a fugitive Wednesday on more than 40 charges. Sally A. Gombocz, 45, Herman's live-in girlfriend and the boy's mother, appeared in court and will face trial on the charges. Gombocz told investigators Herman fled because he wasn't willing to go to jail.

"We have information he is not in the state," Northampton County District Justice James Stocklas said. "He is being declared a fugitive."

The charges against the couple stem from reports from 11 residents who told police that between Jan. 7 and Jan. 18, a child dressed in a Cub Scouts uniform came to their doors with two adults who asked for donations toward a camping trip. Police said up to 146 residents gave donations. In all, the couple received $667, police said. An investigation revealed that the couple bought their son a Cub Scouts uniform and convinced him that he was a member, according to court records.

Herman and Gombocz were arrested Jan. 22 and charged with multiple counts of theft, corruption of minors, criminal conspiracy and related counts. They each were released on $5,000 unsecured bail. Police said that after the arrests, people came forward with new information about a landscaping fraud involving Herman. Based on that information, police said they filed additional charges Wednesday of theft and fraudulent business practices against Herman.

Between July 2002 and this January, Herman allegedly received nearly $5,000 for landscaping services he offered to several residents and either failed to start or complete, police said. None of the money was returned, police said. As part of the landscaping investigation, police said they searched Herman's home Tuesday and discovered drug paraphernalia including empty heroin bags, syringes and a scale. Investigators said additional charges could be pending.

[RonF]

Scumbag on the loose. Not that any of you would associate with such, but keep an eye out.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The poor little kid! These parents should lose their child, because of this type of behavior. Could you imagine all of the terrible things he has seen? Seems to be the Scout Scam would be just the tip of the iceberg, when considering his emotional, developmental, and psychological state.