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One of two men charged with ordering the inflation of bus ridership numbers in Luzerne County’s notorious “ghost rider” scandal received approval Monday to enter a probation program that can lead to dismissal of all charges with no admission of guilt.

Prosecutors with the state Attorney General’s office agreed to let Robb Henderson, former operations director for the Luzerne County Transportation Authority, enter Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, according to Henderson’s attorney, Al Flora.

Flora said Henderson must spend one year under Probation Department supervision, complete 50 hours of community service within one year, and pay court costs and fees totaling $2,136 within 10 months. He must check in online with Probation Services once per month and is not allowed to leave the state without notifying the Probation Department.

Henderson had been charged with 20 conspiracy counts, including tampering with public records, as well as seven counts of aiding consummation of crime. If he completes ARD requirements, he can apply to have the charges dismissed and his record expunged, Flora said, noting there was no criminal conviction and no admission of guilt.

The charges resulted from a grand jury investigation in 2014 surrounding passenger counts that increased soon after former LCTA executive director Stanley Strelish and Henderson took on management positions.

A grand jury determined Strelish and Henderson directed drivers to inflate ridership numbers “by both direct orders and training, and by subtle pressure” with the aim of obtaining increased state funding for LCTA.

Strelish, who had faced 42 counts that included conspiracy, theft by deception and tampering, struck a deal in 2015. He pleaded guilty to five of the charges and agreed to serve five years on probation, pay a $5,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service.

Flora noted Henderson declined an initial plea agreement. “We were all set to go to trial. … We had a strong case. We were prepared to subpoena about 15 bus drivers to offer testimony that Henderson had never told anyone to inflate ridership numbers,” Flora said.

The AG’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

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By Steve Mocarsky

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Reach Steve Mocarsky at 570-991-6386 or on Twitter @TLSteveMocarsky.