SMETHPORT – Bradford car dealer Philip Bauschard was scheduled
to make an appearance in McKean County Court Thursday on charges
alleging theft and registration irregularities, but the date was
continued at the request of his attorney.

Bauschard, 58, is represented by attorney Robert Saunders, who
filed a Motion to Continue with Judge John Yoder.

The motion explains the reason for requesting the continuance is
“that the defendant’s attorney and the district attorney’s office
are continuing with plea negotiations and a possible ARD
application.”

Yoder granted the motion, and set a date of Aug. 3 for the last
day to plea in the case.

ARD is the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program.
According to the Pennsylvania Code, the purpose of the program is
for the rehabilitation of the offender in relatively minor offenses
that do not involve “a serious breach of the public trust.”

Bauschard is charged with 12 counts of theft by failure to make
required disposition of funds, two counts of theft by deception,
one count of tampering with public records, 43 counts of failing to
deliver applications for certificates of title to the state
Department of Transportation, one count of improper use of dealer
registration plates, one count of engaging in unprofessional
conduct and four counts of failure to pay over taxes to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The charges involve allegations from Bauschard’s Bradford and
Smethport car dealerships. Funds were allegedly not sent to the
proper recipients, some vehicles were double financed and titles
were sent late because of a lack of funds, according to court
records.