Arrest warrant issued for building owner
CONNELLSVILLE – An arrest warrant has been issued for a Pittsburgh man who has failed to pay his fines or make repairs to the former WCVI building. Geoffrey P. Kelly of 515 Loretto Road was charged last year by city health code officer Rita Bornstein for unsafe structures and equipment in connection with the dilapidated East Crawford Avenue building.
During a March 18 preliminary hearing, Kelly was found guilty by District Justice Ronald Haggerty and ordered to pay $7,949.45 in fines and related costs by July 15. Kelly did not appear at the hearing.
Haggerty said because Kelly had failed to pay the fines within the time frame established by the law, he was required to issue the warrant. “Now he’s going to spend some time in jail,” said Haggerty.
The building, which housed the WCVI radio station and other small businesses over the years, has fallen into disrepair and has become a public safety issue, according to Bornstein. “It has a tree growing out of the roof,” she said.
A marquee on the outside of the building became a concern last year after a bolt that secured it to a wall was found along the sidewalk.
Haggerty said Kelly has denied he is the owner of the building, but documentation that Bornstein presented during the preliminary hearing proved he did own the property.
Bornstein again cited Kelly in late June. According to court records, the fines associated with the second filing total $10,241.75.
Haggerty said Kelly has two weeks to remit the amount or a second warrant would be issued for his arrest.
The maximum jail sentence is 60 days for each offense.