web1_117777449-a14e874d13ce41778dc422bfb258fab8.jpg

Phone outage reported in several areas of county

web1_TTL081017irem7.jpg

Experts assessing Irem Temple building as first step in possible restoration

<p>HAZLETON &#8212; A Hazleton man has been charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his father who&#8217;s in a nursing home.</p><p>State Police and the Luzerne County Agency on Aging say Michael Kuchinsky, 29, stole approximately $19,900 from his father, Walter, 75, also of Hazleton.</p><p>Michael allegedly forged checks in his father&#8217;s name to pay for a defense attorney. The elder Kuchinsky is a veteran and resides in a nursing facility, while the son lives in his father&#8217;s private residence in Eagle Rock, authorities report.</p><p>Police say Michael had limited power of attorney to pay for bills and failed to do so, and even failed to pay property taxes on the Eagle Rock home outside Hazleton for three years.</p><p>Michael Kuchinsky is being charged with a variety of felonies, namely theft by unlawful taking, forgery and failure to make required payments of funds received.</p><p>He was arrested on a warrant and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 21 before District Judge Daniel O&#8217;Donnell.</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/2017/08/web1_web1_State-Police-13.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_web1_State-Police-13.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Patrick Kernan</p><p>pkernan@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Patrick Kernan at 570-991-6119 or on Twitter @PatKernan</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hazleton man allegedly stole thousands from veteran dad in nursing home