EMPORIUM (EC) — An Emporium man will face felony charges following a state attorney general’s office investigation into missing money.
Thomas J. Holjencin Jr., 47, of Emporium, has been charged with one felony count each of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property stemming from reports of large sums of cash missing from his mother’s account.
According to the affidavit of probable cause on file at Magisterial District Judge Barry Brown’s office in Emporium, in early 2016, information was presented to Emporium Borough Police Chief David Merritt concerning the theft of more than $400,000 from accounts belonging to a woman who died in 2013.
Merritt interviewed Holjencin, and, according to the affidavit, Holjencin “did not think (the money) was all gone, but did know what some of the money was used for” when asked why the account had been depleted.
Court documents allege that Thomas Holjencin and his brother, Joseph Holjencin, were originally suspected, as both had power-of-attorney over their mother’s estate during the time she was in ill health and following her passing.
The case was presented to Cameron County District Attorney Jeanne Miglicio, who referred the case to the state Attorney General’s office, and was further investigated.
Through these investigations, it was uncovered that money from those accounts was utilized to purchase a Disney World vacation, Expedia (travel) expenses, bar expenses and sports store purchases at various locations. Checks were also written out to Clarion University for payment of tuition. At the time, investigators allege that Holjencin’s mother was non-verbal, suffered from cognitive impairment, and was a full-time resident of the Guy & Mary Felt Manor.
In all, nearly $315,000 was used through writing checks; between 2011 and 2013, there were 16 ATM withdrawals recorded, totaling more than $4,200; and between September 2009 and April 2013, 239 check-card purchases were made at a cost of more than $41,000. Check card purchases were made in Disney World, for airfare, rental cars and hotels, iTunes accounts, and to pay for tobacco and alcohol, court documents allege.
While Joseph Holjencin was initially implicated, the investigation revealed that funds used by him were mostly for the business and to cover his salary during a slowdown of the family company, and the two were authorized to use up to $15,000 each, if needed. The bulk of those funds had already been repaid when the investigation began.
Thomas Holjencin admitted to investigators that he was not being paid by the family company and wages were taken from his mother’s account, which he intended to pay back but he did not believe they ever were. When interviewed, investigators allege that he said he did not think he should tell them much “because he didn’t want to throw his brother under the bus.” According to the affidavit, Thomas Holjencin “admitted he messed up and that his brother did, as well.” However, there have yet to be any charges filed against Joseph Holjencin, who still owns and operates the family company. The affidavit appears to show that investigators do not believe he acted improperly, as they found evidence of his making an effort to repay the funds.
A preliminary hearing for Thomas Holjencin is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Brown’s office in the Cameron County Courthouse. Holjencin is being represented by Attorney David J. Hopkins, of DuBois. The Commonwealth is being represented by Attorney General Anthony Wayne Forray, who works in the Harrisburg Criminal Prosecution office.
