Mt. Pleasant woman charged as part of lawyer's alleged theft scheme

A Mt. Pleasant woman was arrested Friday for her alleged role as an accomplice to a Latrobe attorney charged last week with swindling funds from a jailed client.

Tina Curry, 50, was charged with six felony offenses including theft counts and conspiracy in connection with allegations she and lawyer J. Allen Roth withdrew $31,500 from an account of a New Kensington woman jailed at Westmoreland County Prison and used those funds for personal gain.

Police said Roth visited the woman at the jail, arranged to represent her and promised to have her released on bail in exchange for a $2,500 fee. According to the criminal charges, Roth and Curry gained access to the woman’s bank account and used those funds to gamble at a local casino.

Police said Curry withdrew money at Roth’s request and attempted to use $5,000 of the funds to purchase a vehicle.

She was taken into custody on Friday at a home in Mt. Pleasant. Sheriff deputies said Curry attempted to evade capture, gave a false identity and retreated into her home before being found hiding under sheets and a blowup mattress in an upstairs room.

Greensburg District Judge Chris Flanigan detained Curry on a $75,000 straight cash bond, citing at least two pending criminal cases including allegations of assault and fleeing from authorities. Her criminal record also includes other convictions for which she is currently on probation and parole, the judge said.

In October, Curry pleaded guilty to drug offenses and was sentenced by Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger to serve up to 12 months in jail but was paroled after receiving credit she previously served behind bars.

Curry is scheduled to appear before Flanigan for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 21.

Roth is being held at Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of a $250,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear before Common Pleas Court Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio on Nov. 19 for a hearing on his request to reduce his bond and to argue for a change in venue.

Roth contended his professional relationship as a criminal defense lawyer who practiced before Flanigan and other local judges warrants his case being assigned to another jurisdiction.