Businessman ordered to forfeit property
A former Fayette County businessman who solicited investments for companies but used it for personal gain was ordered to forfeit 19 vehicles and property in Fayette County. By order of a West Virginia district judge, Michael J. Pavlock, 59, of Morgantown, W.Va., will have to forfeit the land, buildings and anything inside it at 32 S. Main St., Masontown, and 328-340 E. Main St., Uniontown
He also was ordered to hand over 19 vehicles, including a 2001 Porsche Boxster convertible, a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette, 1998 BMW convertible, 2005 Mercedes Benz SL500 and several trucks and limousines.
In December, Pavlock was convicted of 12 counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements to influence a bankruptcy case. Pavlock was formerly from Clarksville, Greene County.
Prosecutors have said Pavlock, currently on home confinement, could face up to 20 years on each of the counts.
Authorities charged Pavlock created companies in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and then solicited loans for them. Some of the companies were bogus, and none of them were profitable, authorities charged.
Pavlock was the owner of the now-defunct Masontown Telegraph newspaper.
The indictment charged Pavlock bilked multiple people out of at least $1.5 million over 10 years, while operating businesses in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
However, in a request filed in court, prosecutors have asked a judge to further order Pavlock to pay back a$2.38 million to his victims. U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II also asked the judge to order Pavlock to forfeit property on Collier Road in Uniontown, claiming that it was purchased through the use of tainted funds.
Prosecutors said Pavlock got people to give him money or property by promising significant profits. When he received loans, prosecutors contended Pavlock promised to pay back the money in weeks or days, but did not do so.
U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley will sentence Pavlock on May 18.