Greater Latrobe school board member: Theft accusation political
Greater Latrobe school board member Sherry L. Bolha said a criminal complaint filed against her for theft of services over an auto-repair bill stems from a political feud.
Joe Mylant, owner of Danser's Auto Repair in Unity Township, said he "exhausted all courses of actions" to collect an $828 repair bill from Bolha before going to state police.
"Geez-o-Pete! This has nothing to do about politics," Mylant said.
"I've got a wife and four kids to feed and can't just look the other way on an $800-plus bill for a car that I completed the work on," he said.
According to state police, Bolha took her 1996 Chrysler Sebring last August to the repair shop on Route 130.
"Upon completion of the repairs, (Bolha) went to the shop after hours and attempted to remove the vehicle from the property without paying the bill. When the vehicle would not start, (Bolha) left the vehicle and called the shop the next day to tell them the vehicle would not start," Trooper Joseph Doris said in a written report.
After additional repairs were done, Bolha again went to the shop Aug. 6 "after hours and this time she was able to remove the vehicle without paying the bill," Doris wrote.
State police filed a complaint against Bolha, alleging theft of services, before Unity District Judge Michael Mahady.
Doris said Danser has made several unsuccessful attempts to collect the bill.
Bolha said she believes she was victimized by the repair shop and plans to file a complaint herself before Mahady.
"That car is only worth $1,500, and they charged me over $800 for repairs that I never approved first," she said. "I feel ripped off."
Bolha, a Republican, made an unsuccessful bid in 2009 for Unity Township supervisor. She was defeated by Democrat Jack Mylant, who is the brother of Joe Mylant.
"I've gone there (Danser's) for years. I never thought they would hold that against me, but I guess I was wrong," Bolha said.
"I told them when I took it in that all it needed was a water pump, but they added all this other stuff, like timing belts, that I didn't need and I never authorized," she said. "I plan to file my own complaint."
Joe Mylant said he keeps his business and personal life separate and never would let politics interfere with his business.
"I told my brother when he ran, I don't know why he would want to get involved in politics. He won fair and square, and I don't hold animosity toward anyone," Mylant said.
"I know I have customers who voted for and against him, and I don't treat them any different. I just want paid for the work I do," he said.
Bolha's preliminary hearing is scheduled Dec. 20 before Mahady.
