Time And Tide

Deal keeps fugitive McGinnis’ widow out of jail

0 Comments | Tribune – Review / Pittsburgh Tribune – Review, Jul 27, 2010 | by Paul Peirce

The widow of a notorious Westmoreland County fugitive, who committed suicide shortly after his arrest for alleged insurance fraud, will apparently spend no time in jail under the terms of a deal reached Monday.

Denise P. McGinnis, 39, of 207 Johnson St., Fairfield, had been charged in the case with her husband, David, 44.

Her attorney, James Ecker of Pittsburgh, said his client will enter the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program and will not admit guilt but may have her charges expunged upon successful completion of a probationary period.

Two other alleged conspirators, David McGinnis’ brother, Kenneth C. McGinnis, 36, of Bolivar, and his sister, Wendy McGinnis, 42, have charges pending.

Records indicate David and Denise McGinnis collected $25,000 after he reported his red “monster show truck” stolen from the Galleria Mall near Johnstown on May 2, 2008.

Police said the truck was not stolen, but was stashed in Wendy McGinnis’ Homer City garage.

Kenneth McGinnis waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges stemming from the case, and Ecker said a hearing for Wendy McGinnis will be scheduled.

“This whole thing has been a tragedy for the McGinnis family. As the (police) reports indicate, the whole thing was really David’s doing, I believe both ladies involved here, Denise and Wendy, are totally innocent in this
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