Bloomsburg Mayor Disputes Prostitution Charges

Eric Bower, Mayor of Bloomsburg Pa, was arrested Friday 4-20-18 on charges of soliciting and patronizing a prostitute.

Police allege that Eric Bower, 36, had sex with a confidential informant for money several times.

They allege that Bower who was elected last year and the woman agreed to meet at a Hampton Inn just outside Bloomsburg, and Bower showed up Friday with $200 and condoms.

The Press Enterprise of Bloomsburg reports that Bower said he was self-employed. But upon being reminded that he’s mayor, he added he’s also employed by “the town of Bloomsburg, for now.”

In an interview with WNEP, Bower states that the charges are political in nature, stating "This woman was not random. She's someone that I had an ongoing relationship of some kind with," and "I believe this was just a setup because of my political position and nature, and if it was anyone else, it probably would not be occurring.".

Bower is due in court May 2nd and does not plan to step down as Mayor.