Lawyer: Pennsylvania Coroner Charged in Insurance Scam in Rehab

A northeastern Pennsylvania deputy coroner accused of trying to hire and undercover officer to burn down a building for insurance money is in rehab.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton reports Lackawanna County Deputy Coroner Joseph Swoboda has been admitted to a residential alcohol rehabilitation program.

According to the newspaper’s report, defense attorney Joseph D’Andrea requested a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday be rescheduled because of Swoboda’s admission to rehab.

Prosecutors say Swoboda offered an undercover police officer $40,000 to burn down a building so he could collect the insurance. Swoboda allegedly gave the officer $1,000 in “good faith” money.

Swoboda has been suspended without pay from his county job.