Theft Charges Filed Against Ex-Northampton County Solicitor

Former Northampton County Solicitor Anthony J. Martino faces charges after a grand jury concluded that he committed thefts and theft-related offenses while working as an attorney in Bangor.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli held a press conference Monday morning to announce the grand jury results regarding Martino, who faces charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, forgery and misapplication of entrusted property.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Patch.com, Martino -- working for a law firm in Bangor -- was named executor of the estate of John L. Farace, who died March 3, 2008.

Farace's will listed Moravian College as the sole beneficiary of his estate, valued at $184,183.53, court papers state.

Starting March 21, 2008, Martino wrote 96 checks to himself from the estate and one check to cash, all totaling $237,306.94.

He wrote out two checks to Moravian Collage -- one for $70,000 in May 2009 and another for $80,000 in late June 2010.

When Moravian was due $34,183.53 in September 2011, the estate's checking account was empty and was in fact carrying a negative balance, court records state.

The criminal complaint also states that the Roseto resident signed over to himself a $75,000 check that was intended to be held for Richard Bartolacci of Fairfield Development Associates.

Martino is also being linked to an outstanding tax deficiency for Allstate Septic Systems in January 2010.

The company was informed about a tax deficiency of $100,421.49. It brought on Martino as counsel and Allstate Septic wrote Martino a check for $87,250.25, believing that it would resolve the tax deficiency.

When it was announced in July 2012 that Martino was starting his own firm, Allstate partner Bruce E. Fox inquired about the check he paid into escrow and was told by Martino that the money was tied up.

Court papers indicated that Martino had deposited those funds into the Farace estate checking account.

The grand jury has been investigating Martino since Sept. 6, court papers indicate.