Westmoreland County President Judge Christopher Feliciani recused himself Wednesday from presiding over a bail hearing for a Latrobe lawyer jailed on charges that he stole money from a client.
The judge cited a conflict of interest related to pending legal matters that involved an alleged personal relationship between attorney J. Allen Roth and a client and reassigned the case to be heard by Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio.
Roth, 69, handcuffed and in a blue prison jumpsuit, appeared before Feliciani to ask for a reduction of his $250,000 bond that has kept him behind bars since late last week when he was charged with theft and related offenses. Roth is asking that his prosecution and preliminary hearing be transferred to another venue, citing his professional relationship with court officials.
Prosecutors claim Roth stole more than $31,000 from a jailed client whom a judge had previously declared incompetent to stand trial. Prosecutors claim Roth and an employee gained access to the client’s bank account and withdrew funds he gambled with at a local casino.
Roth denied the allegations.
His bond hearing was delayed as court officials work to find Roth an attorney.
He appeared in court on Wednesday without a lawyer, saying he applied for representation from the county’s public defender’s office. Assistant Public Defender Sarah Reeb told the judge her office cannot represent Roth due to conflicts of interest and that a private defense lawyer, paid for with taxpayer money, will have to be appointed.
Feliciani appointed defense attorney Brian Aston to represent Roth.
Assistant District Attorney Leo Ciaramitaro said prosecutors object to any modification of Roth’s bond.
“We believe the bond is actually less than I requested and is appropriate. These are heinous allegations. The defendant was using his law practice as a method to generate income without providing any services,” Ciaramitaro said.
Prosecutors were expected to present testimony detailing additional inquiries into potential new allegations against Roth.
Melanie Jones, spokeswoman for District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, confirmed the investigation surrounding Roth isn’t complete.
Prosecutors also said they believed two dogs have been left alone in Roth’s home since he was jailed on Nov. 8. Roth told the judge he attempted to have someone take possession of the animals, but has been unable confirm that has occurred. During his court appearance he gave verbal permission for Latrobe police to enter his home to rescue the dogs.