Kevin Kolb’s Brother, Wife also Charged Regarding Unpaid Labor Scheme
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges against Kevin D. Kolb, the founder and operator of Sick Recovery, a Berks County-based non-profit organization for men with substance abuse issues, which Kolb allegedly used as a source for free laborers.
According to a collaborative investigation by the Office of Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police, and findings from the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, Kolb recruited participants for the live-in program under the guise of offering treatment and healthy recovery alternatives. In reality, according to the investigation, participants had to turn over their personal belongings, including identification, money and cell phones, and were not permitted to have any contact with their families. They worked construction jobs with no compensation and were not provided any reasonable means to voluntarily exit the program.
Kolb was charged Thursday with numerous offenses, including involuntary servitude, theft by unlawful taking, tax evasion, insurance fraud, and related offenses. He was arraigned and bail was set at $250,000 unsecured.
Krista Kolb, Kevin’s wife, is charged with unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records, construction workplace misclassification, and insurance fraud. She was arraigned and bail was set at $25,000 unsecured.
Scott Kolb, Kevin’s brother, is charged with construction workplace misclassification regarding work that was done for his construction company. He will be mailed a summons to appear in court.
“A comprehensive investigation revealed a disturbing course of conduct allegedly perpetrated by someone who posed as a helper offering a new lifestyle to people dealing with substance abuse,” Attorney General Henry said. “I thank the grand jurors for their time and diligence as they, for many months, heard testimony about a free-labor scheme disguised as a non-profit organization.”
Pennsylvania State Police Captain James Cuttitta, Director of the Special Investigations Division within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said: “These charges involve a course of conduct by someone who was supposed to be improving the lives of others, not criminally taking advantage of those seeking treatment and help. We commend the work of the investigators and the close cooperation by all involved agencies and prosecutors.”
Kevin Kolb marketed Sick Recovery, AKA Soul Recovery Academy, Soul Constructors, Sick Recovery for 638, as a recovery home program with vocational training options and a special interest focus on motorcross racing.
According to the investigation, there was no formal vocational training, but participants worked extensive, difficult labor at worksites, without compensation. While Kevin Kolb contracted for work under the name Soul Constructors, they also worked as a subcontractor for Service 360, a construction company owned by Scott Kolb.
Throughout Kevin Kolb operating Soul Recovery as a for-profit construction business, the program maintained non-profit status. The investigation revealed Kolb used funds received via donations, grants, and construction payments for personal expenses.
Lacking any reasonable means to exit the program, many participants had to leave secretly in the middle of the night.
The cases will be prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Brian Zarallo and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Eisenberg.
All charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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