New charges filed against Monroe business owner
Scifo
New charges have been filed against a Monroe County business owner during his preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
Robert Scifo, 34, of Kunkletown, waived his preliminary hearing before District Judge Daniel Kresge on charges filed against him from Nov. 1, alleging the theft of $28,117 from six victims.
Scifo operated an Internet-based food cart manufacturing company called Crown Food Carts.
On June 15, Monroe County chief detective Eric Kerchner opened an investigation into Scifo’s business practices after receiving several consumer complaints.
At the conclusion of that investigation on Nov. 1, criminal charges were filed against Scifo on behalf of the six victims.
It is alleged that Scifo collected money for the manufacture of food carts and/or related parts and then either failed to deliver anything or provided items representing a fraction of the value ordered.
After information regarding the Nov. 1 charges went public, 13 additional victims filed complaints against Scifo, again alleging that they paid for food carts or related parts and either received nothing or products that represented a fraction of the value ordered.
Losses for these victims total $32,449.
Total losses to date are $60,566.
During his hearing Tuesday, Scifo was arrested for the new set of offenses.
Charges included felony and misdemeanor offenses of theft, theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.
Scifo was arraigned before District Judge Colleen Mancuso on Wednesday, and released on unsecured bail.
His preliminary hearing has been scheduled for April 13.
The investigation also uncovered a prior company operated by Scifo called Pushcart USA Corporation.
The Better Business Bureau rated this company an “F,” and several customers filed complaints with the BBB accusing the company of taking their money and providing no product, or substituting an inferior product.
An investigation into the business practices of Pushcart USA is ongoing.
Any consumers who may have been a victim of Scifo, Crown Food Carts or Pushcart USA are encouraged to contact Kerchner at 570-517-3109.
