web1_SchollStandalone.jpg

Mistrial declared in Melissa Ann Scholl attempted homicide case

web1_kingston-township-building.jpg

Kingston Township settles dispute with business owners

<p>A federal judge denied a request to reduce the amount of a jury verdict returned last year in a civil suit regarding the sale of the former Transcontinental Refrigerated Lines.</p><p>The former owner of the trucking company, Stephen P. Hrobuchak, petitioned the court to reduce the $939,614 he owed to the liquidating agent representing creditors in a related bankruptcy proceeding.</p><p>Hrobuchak, of Dalton, asked that previous settlements reached with the other defendants New Prime Inc., the company that bought TRL in 2007, and, Handler Thayer &amp; Duggan, the law firm that handled the sale, be factored in to lower his payment to approximately $205,000.</p><p>But in his order issued June 12, U.S. District Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, said that Hrobuchak is individually liable for the payment and not entitled to the setoff he sought.</p><p>The case alleged fraud on behalf of the defendants. Settlements were reached with New Prime and the law firm. Hrobuchak allegedly diverted money from the sale and his case went to trial last November.</p><p>Hrobuchak sold TRL to New Prime Inc., of Springfield, Mo., and agreed that he would not compete with the new owner for five years. The deal also included accounts receivables payments, that according to Hrobuchak&#8217;s offset request filed Jan. 3, were sold for 85 cents on the dollar and the proceeds of collection of the other 15 percent were split.</p><p>The judge&#8217;s order said the jury, in reaching its verdict, did not calculate the entire amount of the accounts receivables transferred, but instead focused on what Hrobuchak received. The order stated that neither has Hrobuchak shown nor &#8220;does the trial record permit the inference&#8221; that New Prime and the law firm received any portion of the $939,614.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Gavel.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Gavel.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Judge’s denies motion to reduce jury verdict in suit involving sale of former TRL trucking