Pro Wrestler/Male Escort Charged

HARRISBURG - A professional wrestler who is also a male escort was arrested today, following charges that he filed a false injury claim preventing him from working, yet continued to wrestle.

Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Michael Taris, 34, 138 Ice Pond Road, Levittown. Taris was a professional wrestler for the World Wide Wrestling Alliance (WWWA) and currently wrestles professionally for the National Wrestling Superstars.

Corbett said that on Aug. 6, 2007 Taris filed an injury claim with the 7-Eleven Corporation stating that he injured his back, neck and legs after slipping on a puddle of coffee at a Levittown 7-Eleven.

According to the charges, Taris stated in the claim that he was unable to work, "rough house" or play with his son, cut grass, and sit or stand for long periods of time as a result of the injuries he allegedly sustained in the accident.

The criminal complaint states that during the time after the accident, Taris continued to work as a professional wrestler, as a male escort and as a massage therapist despite his claims.

Corbett said that surveillance footage allegedly shows Taris actively participating in wrestling matches where he was thrown against the ropes; thrown out of the ring; jumping off ropes and landing on other wrestlers.

"Mr. Taris was hoping to make fast, easy money at the expense of others," Corbett said. "Fortunately his scheme was discovered and he was never able to profit from his deception."

Taris is charged with one count of insurance fraud and one count of criminal attempt theft by deception.

Corbett said that Taris was preliminarily arraigned before Warrington Magisterial District Judge Philip Daily. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 6, 2009.

He will be prosecuted in Bucks County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Mark Bellavia of the Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Section.

Photos provided by Corbett's office.