Published: January 07, 2009 08:48 am      

NEW – Bus driver charged with molesting handicapped

GREENSBURG — A 74-year-old bus driver is charged with sexually molesting six women passengers with special needs over three years.

Paul Lizza, of Unity Township, faces a preliminary hearing March 3 on charges of indecently assaulting people with a mental disability, indecent contact without consent, and institutional sexual assault.

State police say the incidents continued through November when one woman complained. Lizza has been off the job since police began investigating.

He was a substitute driver for First Student Inc. The victims range in age from 27 to 52.

Police say Lizza would pull off the road and fondle the women, sometimes in the presence of the others.

Lizza tells The Associated Press he is being “railroaded” but that his attorney has told him not to comment.