A local attorney who showed up at a Jessup tavern on Sunday finds himself behind bars after a Lackawanna County judge revoked his bail on prior charges.
Judge Michael Barrasse revoked Michael Pisanchyn’s bail Wednesday morning, sending him to Lackawanna County Prison.
Pisanchyn, 51, was participating in pretrial services following his arrest in February 2025 in Throop on DUI and assault charges. He was prohibited from visiting bars or other establishments that serve alcohol.
On Monday, probation officer Kenneth Kelb received an anonymous call stating Pisanchyn visited The Side Bar on Church Street in Jessup. Bartender Kiana Rae Williams also posted about the incident on Facebook and Kelb contacted her.
Williams said a man wearing a Baltimore Ravens jersey — later identified as Pisanchyn — came into the bar appearing intoxicated. When Pisanchyn ordered a sugar-free Red Bull, Williams informed him they did not carry it. Pisanchyn called her a racial slur and began shouting.
Co-owner Laurie Viscomi heard the commotion and escorted Pisanchyn off the premises.
Williams said she did not initially know who Pisanchyn was or that he was an attorney until other patrons identified him. In a message included in court paperwork, Pisanchyn appeared to apologize and asked Williams to take down her post.
Kelb visited The Side Bar and met with co-owner Chuck Viscomi, who provided security footage showing Pisanchyn at the establishment.
Pisanchyn, of Olyphant, is held at Lackawanna County Prison without bail.
Original Incident
Pisanchyn is accused of instigating a fight at Porkiez Bar & Grill in February 2025, allegedly saying “I’m gonna fight” before assaulting another patron. Following the incident, police found Pisanchyn parked in the middle of the road on Adams Court in Throop, appearing intoxicated.
Officers interviewed patron Brian Mellody, who said Pisanchyn entered the bar and tried to start a fight without cause. Officers noted Mellody had scratches on his face and blood on his head. Mellody told police Pisanchyn “ran his mouth and then took a swing at me.”
Pisanchyn claimed he had not consumed much alcohol and refused a field sobriety test. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Dickson City for a blood draw.
In a statement sent by email following the initial charges, Douglas Yazinski, an attorney with the Pisanchyn Law Firm representing Pisanchyn, stated his client acted in self-defense and would aggressively fight the charges.
“It is deeply unfortunate that Mr. Pisanchyn, a father of three, is forced to endure this ordeal,” Yazinski wrote. “It is clear that this is a calculated attempt to exploit him for financial gain.”
No trial date has been set, according to court records.