An Episcopalian church leader from Luzerne County was in court Thursday facing charges he endangered and threatened a group of people, including his own daughters.
Gregory Malia of Laflin had no comment on his way out of a courtroom in Plains Township. Instead, he and Angela Sweet of Larksville were escorted to a sport utility vehicle by a man acting as a bodyguard.
A judge ruled there is enough evidence for Malia to stand trial on endangerment charges. Police said in July, Malia got into a fight with two of his daughters in a Jenkins Township bar, then waved a gun at them and their boyfriends in the parking lot. In court Thursday, Malia's own daughters testified against him.
"They're obviously very traumatized for having to testify against their own father and that he's the one who's the perpetrator in this case, but they're doing alright. They're staying strong," said Assistant District Attorney Jenny Roberts.
Sweet was charged with beating Malia's daughter, Marilyn. Police said Sweet was upset because the woman threw a beer on her father inside the bar. Sweet was also charged with taking off after the fight, driving drunk and refusing to pull over for police until finally reaching a Plains Township shopping plaza.
"My client had to testify against her natural born father. She got beat up pretty bad by the one woman, so the family is very emotional," said Al Flora, Marilyn Malia's attorney.
This is just the latest controversy for Gregory Malia. In August, his home health care business in Pittston was raided by the attorney general's oOffice. That investigation is ongoing.
Malia is also a suspended Episcopalian church leader, photographed earlier this year partying in a New York City nightclub with several women. He was suspended from his church duties and is facing removal from his job in the Bethlehem Diocese.
Malia's attorney said it has been tough dealing with the latest charges.
"It is difficult for both sides. The daughters are upset and the father that I represent is also very upset. It's a difficult situation for everyone involved, no doubt about it," said Nanda Palissery, Gregory Malia's attorney.
Gregory Malia of Laflin had no comment on his way out of a courtroom in Plains Township. Instead, he and Angela Sweet of Larksville were escorted to a sport utility vehicle by a man acting as a bodyguard.
A judge ruled there is enough evidence for Malia to stand trial on endangerment charges. Police said in July, Malia got into a fight with two of his daughters in a Jenkins Township bar, then waved a gun at them and their boyfriends in the parking lot. In court Thursday, Malia's own daughters testified against him.
"They're obviously very traumatized for having to testify against their own father and that he's the one who's the perpetrator in this case, but they're doing alright. They're staying strong," said Assistant District Attorney Jenny Roberts.
Sweet was charged with beating Malia's daughter, Marilyn. Police said Sweet was upset because the woman threw a beer on her father inside the bar. Sweet was also charged with taking off after the fight, driving drunk and refusing to pull over for police until finally reaching a Plains Township shopping plaza.
"My client had to testify against her natural born father. She got beat up pretty bad by the one woman, so the family is very emotional," said Al Flora, Marilyn Malia's attorney.
This is just the latest controversy for Gregory Malia. In August, his home health care business in Pittston was raided by the attorney general's oOffice. That investigation is ongoing.
Malia is also a suspended Episcopalian church leader, photographed earlier this year partying in a New York City nightclub with several women. He was suspended from his church duties and is facing removal from his job in the Bethlehem Diocese.
Malia's attorney said it has been tough dealing with the latest charges.
"It is difficult for both sides. The daughters are upset and the father that I represent is also very upset. It's a difficult situation for everyone involved, no doubt about it," said Nanda Palissery, Gregory Malia's attorney.
