NEPa County Prosecutor Allegedly Charged Sex-for-Legal Services

A Northeastern Pennsylvania defense attorney who used to work as a county prosecutor is accused of targeting vulnerable clients for sex, exploiting four women in exchange for legal work he did for them or their family members.

According to the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office and a state police affidavit released to WNBF news, 47-year-old Corey Kolcharno is accused of taking advantage of his clients' legal and financial troubles, tethering "his performance as their counsel to a demand for sexual services from them or in exchange for payment."

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Attorney General’s office says Kolcharno is charged with four counts of promoting prostitution.

The former Lackawanna County prosecutor was released on $20,000 bail following arraignment.

The Associated Press reports Kolcharno’s attorney, Paul Walker says the barrister will plead guilty and intended to give up his law license.

According to state police, Kolcharno targeted women who struggled with addiction, had been sexually abused or had financial problems. At first he requested nude photos or worn underwear, then escalated his predatory behavior into a demand for sex in exchange for legal services. He allegedly paid his clients as much as $500 or knocked that amount off their bills.

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The AP story says the victims told authoritiesthey were ashamed but felt they had no choice but to give in.

The AP report cites Investigators who said they found hundreds of nude and sexually explicit images of Kolcharno's clients on his cellphone.

Kolcharno’s family includes two young children.

Police said the illegal activity went on for several years, between 2018 and 2022, while Kolcharno was a partner in the Fanucci & Kolcharno law firm outside Scranton.

The AP reports, before re-entering private practice, Kolcharno was an assistant district attorney in Lackawanna County from 2005-2011. A spokesperson for Shapiro declined to comment on whether authorities are looking at Kolcharno's time as a prosecutor.