Lawsuits were stymied, but CFPB finally puts halt to rent-a-D.A. scheme

By Jeff Gelles, Inquirer Columnist

The ominous letter from the prosecutor's office was addressed to her grandfather, Albert Lachowicz, but it came to Jennifer Paczan because she was handling his finances. Even five years later, the Pennsylvania woman still recalls her reactions: first worried, then confused, and, finally, outraged on his behalf.

The letter was signed by Beaver County District Attorney Anthony J. Berosh, and was on the D.A.'s letterhead. It said Berosh's office had received reports alleging that Lachowicz had engaged in "criminal activity" by "issuing a fraudulent check."

Paczan, then a student at the University of Pittsburgh, knew that hadn't happened. Her grandfather's nursing home had taken an unexpected payment from his bank account on the same day she wrote a $10 check for one of his prescriptions. To fix her error, she not only repaid the $10, but $35 more to cover the pharmacy's returned-check fees.