Half of theft case charges dropped
Half of the charges filed against a Uniontown man accused of bilking 84 Lumber Co. out of more than $250,000 were withdrawn Tuesday. The remainder of the charges filed against Nicholas James Ludi, 62, of 77 Belmeade Terrace were then waived to court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Jay Weller.
North Strabane Township police charged Ludi with four counts of theft, corruption by misstatements, tampering with records, deceptive business practices and unlawful use of a computer after he was allegedly paid more than $250,000 in money he was not owed while working as a pilot for 84 Lumber Co., based in Washington County.
Prosecutors withdrew two of the theft counts as well as the charges of deceptive business practices and tampering with records.
Police filed the charges against Ludi following a three-year investigation after company officials noticed unusual business practices by Ludi.
Police allege that Ludi received money owed to 84 Lumber through his private company, used 84 Lumber credit cards for unauthorized transactions and falsely billed his clients.
In addition to flying for lumber magnate Joe Hardy, Ludi also managed Hardy’s private airport at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in Farmington for several years.
Ludi also served for several years on the airport authority.
Ludi remains free on unsecured bond.