Prison barber charged with $6K haircut scam in Pa.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a northeastern Pennsylvania barber was taking a little off the top at the county’s expense.

Robert M. Licata is charged with stealing almost $6,000 from the Luzerne County Correction Facility by claiming he gave an inflated number of inmates haircuts.

The 52-year-old barber was charged Tuesday with theft by deception and tampering with public records. Investigators say he turned in falsified haircut sign-in sheets that cost the county $5,982 over a two-year period.

Licata, of West Pittston, was paid $6 per haircut by the county. Authorities say he would turn in a sign-in sheet and be cut a check.

Prison officials say a system to verify haircuts now has been put in place.

Licata is free on bail.