Crime & Safety

Bensalem Twp. Police Arrest 7 More in Corruption Investigation

An additional seven people have been charged in the ongoing Bensalem School District investigation, police say.

Bensalem Township Police say they have charged seven more people associated with the 18-month-long corruption investigation into the Bensalem Township School District.  
"These criminal charges are being filed as the second wave of arrests stemming from the investigation into “ghost” employees and the theft and illegal distribution of school district vehicles, bus tires, batteries, and numerous automotive repair and replacement parts," the department said in an email. 

In the initial phase of the investigation, 20 individuals, many of them school district employees, were arrested and have since entered negotiated pleas, it said. 

According to police, the following were arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Leonard J. Brown and charged with:

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* Theresa Adams, 63, of Trevose; first degree misdemeanors of theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Bail set at $25,000 unsecured.

* Richard Bolinski Jr., 52, of Bristol; third degree felonies theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property. Bail set at $25,000 unsecured.

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* Stephen Leonardo, 39, of Bensalem; third degree felonies theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property. Bail set at $25,000 unsecured.

* Paul Krex, 55, of Bensalem; third degree felonies theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property. Bail set at $50,000 unsecured.

* William Ohara, 38, of Levittown; third degree felonies theft, conspiracy, receiving stolen property. Bail set at $25,000 unsecured.

* Bruce Binder, 63, of Perkasie; first degree misdemeanors of theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Bail set at $25,000 unsecured.
* Frances Zemartis, 55, of Bensalem; first degree misdemeanors of theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Bail set at $25,000 unsecured.
According to police, "It is estimated that over 13,000 gallons of gasoline were stolen by the grounds crew in the last five years, costing the school district approximately $35,000. Grounds crew employees Richard Bolinski, Stephen Leonardo, Paul Krex, and William O’Hara were arrested for 
the theft of gasoline."
Also, bus driver Theresa Adams conspired to steal school district automotive parts, at a cost of approximately $1,000 to the school district, police said.
"Bruce Binder, from CCC Heavy Duty Truck Parts in Bensalem, also conspired to ship at least four 55-gallon drums of anti-freeze to a Smiths Automotive in Bristol Township at a cost of approximately 
$1,200 to the school district." The anti-freeze was not used for school district vehicles, police said.
Lastly, head custodian Frances Zemartis was stealing school district property and teachers' personal property while she was cleaning the school.  Items were valued at approximately $1,000, police said.


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