pray@altoonamirror.com
The sentencing of a former Hollidaysburg firefighter charged with embezzling more than $1.5 million in federal grant funds has been postponed until August.
Benjamin Allen Rhine, 49, was scheduled to appear before Gibson on May 17 for sentencing on one count of conversion of government funds and additional counts of filing false income tax returns.
Rhine requested continuances of his sentencing hearing because he wants to appear in person before the judge, but the federal court in Johnstown, like courts throughout Pennsylvania, has been conducting business through video conference using the Zoom platform due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Rhine entered his guilty pleas Sept. 25, and sentencing was initially set for Feb. 2.
A second Hollidaysburg firefighter has been charged with embezzling money from a federal grant program.
An indictment filed this week in U.S. District Court in JohnsÂtown accuses Anthony J. Dibona of Hollidaysburg, current chief of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department, of retaining $57,242 in grant funds for his own use and four related counts of filing false tax returns.
Court documents indicate that Dibona, represented by Federal Public Defender Christopher Brown, will render a guilty plea on March 26 before Judge Kim R. Gibson.
Dibona, when reached by phone Thursday, said he had been advised against making any statements at this time.
pray@altoonamirror.com
The Tuesday sentencing hearing for a former area volunteer firefighter accused of embezzling more than $1.5 million from a federal grant that was to be used to attract new volunteers has been postponed until April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benjamin Allen Rhine, 48, was to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson in Johnstown, but Rhine’s Altoona attorney, Michael B. Cohen, requested a continuance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily operations of area courts, both state and federal.
Blair County President Judge Elizabeth A. Doyle, as well as president judges in surrounding counties, canceled jury selections for at least the first two months of 2021, and the federal court in Johnstown has been hearing cases via Zoom.