Former LevittownNow.com editor and publisher Jeffrey Bohen, 46, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in a Penndel courtroom after additional charges were filed by police.
Bohen was arrested late last month on allegations of forgery and theft in connection with money withdrawn for a campaign account for State Representative Frank Farry. According to a police investigation, Bohen made nine attempted transactions and 19 completed transactions from Farry’s account, unlawfully taking $2,450.
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Bohen’s unlawful access to Farry’s accounts began on November 12 when Bohen allegedly forged the state representative’s signature and deposited the money to his banking account. Bohen initially gained access to Farry’s campaign accounts when Farry placed election-related advertising with LevittownNow.com. Bohen served as the head of advertising until his separation from the company on December 22.
Bohen was arrested on February 24 for the initial charges where his bail was set at 10 percent of $100,000. Three days later, Bohen’s bail was reduced to 10 percent of 2,500 and he was released.
Former Publisher/Editor Arrested On Felony Charges
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According to Middletown police, Bohen not only confirmed he had made the transactions once in custody, but that he was involved in unauthorized transactions with an additional LevittownNow.com advertiser. According to police, Bohen made two transactions from Virtuous Hair Studio, both for $100, once on December 23 and once on December 25. LevittownNow.com owner Tom Sofield, who was contacted by the owner shortly after the transactions, refunded the money believing the business had been victim to a billing error.
The confession prompted police to add four additional charges to Bohen’s case on Wednesday, including forgery, unauthorized access to a device, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property, Bohen was released Wednesday on $25,000 unsecured bail. Bohen’s charges will be handled in one case together, a case that begins in Doylestown on April 10.
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Before District Judge Daniel Baranoski, the prosecution and defense both stated there was a preliminary agreement and one felony charge from the first case was dropped.
According to court papers, only two of the alleged unauthorized transactions happened while Bohen was working for the company.
Farry, who attended the preliminary hearing, said he would look for a resolution in Doylestown and that he had “confidence in the criminal justice system.”
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Editor’s Note: In an effort to remain transparent, the following article discusses charges currently held against a former employee of LevittownNow.com. Jeff Bohen separated from the company on December 22, 2014.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
