Risoldi accused - again - of witness intimidation
Claire Risoldi, the Bucks County matriarch accused of multimillion-dollar insurance fraud, was jailed Wednesday after being arrested again on witness-intimidation charges.
Claire Risoldi, the Bucks County matriarch accused of multimillion-dollar insurance fraud, was jailed Wednesday after being arrested again on witness-intimidation charges.
State prosecutors contend Risoldi used a subpoena, issued by her lawyer, to influence witnesses who testified in a grand jury investigation that led to Risoldi's arrest on fraud charges in January 2015.
"Our system of justice depends on witnesses being free to testify without fear of intimidation or retaliation," Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane said in a statement.
Prosecutors did not identify the witnesses but said the subpoenas were served on the Buckingham Township Police Department.
Risoldi's lawyer, Jack McMahon, said he sought the personnel file of Police Lt. John R. Landis, who is expected to testify against Risoldi at trial.
In an interview Wednesday, McMahon said Risoldi did not contact Landis, and argued that issuing a subpoena is a Sixth Amendment right that does not constitute witness intimidation.
At an arraignment Wednesday, a district judge set Risoldi's bail at $1 million and scheduled a June 9 preliminary hearing.
McMahon said Risoldi, 68, is not in a position to post bail and he would appeal the order.
"You do something perfectly legal and they claim it's illegal, they arrest you, and throw you in jail," he said. "It's so out of tune with our Constitution and people's fundamental rights."
Risoldi is awaiting trial on charges she conspired with family members to collect $20 million in inflated insurance claims after three fires at her New Hope estate beginning in 2009.
She has been out on bail since her initial arrest. In the last year and a half, prosecutors have repeatedly accused her of witness intimidation.
Landis previously testified during the grand jury investigation about the 2013 fire at Risoldi's mansion and his contact with her.
McMahon disputes Landis' version of events. He said attorneys decided to subpoena Landis' personnel file from the township because they suspect he received a promotion in return for his testimony.
Landis could not be reached Wednesday evening.
The Attorney General's Office called the subpoena "inappropriate."
The fraud trial, originally scheduled for June, has been delayed by an unresolved motion from prosecutors that the trial judge remove himself.
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