Anthony Lupas Not Mentally Competent So Says Defense Lawyer

Scranton, Luzerne County--    An attorney for Anthonly Lupas says his client is not mentally competent and does not understand the charges filed against him. Lupas, a well known Luzerne County lawyer, was indicted this week on five countys of Mail Fraud. He's accsued of stealing at least $248,000 from one client who gave Lupas money to invest. Prosecutors say Lupas ran a Ponzi scheme and took advantage of that client and possible dozens of others. He is only indicted in connectino with one Luzerne County client. Defnense lawyer Bill Ruzzo told a Federal Judge in Scranton Thursday, "A neuropsychiatrist says Mr. Lupas does not understand the charges. It all has to do with a bad fall he took last November. He doesn't think he understands the ramifications of making a plea." Lupas had no comment when Eyewitness News tried asking him about the case as he left the courthouse. The Lupas story garnered responses on the Eyewitness News Facebook Page Thursday. Debbie posted: "What a sham..he's a crook!"  Don replied," A lawyer mentally incompetent..sows the state of te legal sysem in our area." Lupas remains under home confinement and faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted on these charges."