RECENT COMMENTS
Lawrence to skate once again?
Notorious slumlord Oliver Lawrence, due in court this afternoon on over 30 charges related to property maintenance from as far back as November 2008, showed once again without a lawyer and will likely be getting yet another continuation.
When called before the judge, Lawrence claimed (under oath) that his lawyer, Fred Dixon, had an emergency with another case and could not make it. A half-hour after the beginning of the session, nothing official had been received from the lawyer. Judge Cheek was not inclined to move forward without a lawyer present, and it looks like everything will be rescheduled for a date in August.
Lawrence also alleged that he is in the process of selling “all of [his] properties in Central Virginia”. Court observers described claiming potential sale as a common way of attempting to defer heat. The judge was nonplussed and stayed the course on trying to figure out what might’ve happened to Lawrence’s legal representation.
To buy some some time and to turn up the heat on Lawrence, officers served him 152 show cause violations on offenses that he had promised before to take care of but has not. There are hefty fines associated originally associated with these violation that were suspended on Lawrence’s promises.
As of early this afternoon, Lawrence was still in the process of being served. Most present did not expect Lawrence’s lawyer to arrive, though the prosecuting attorney Lukanuski volunteered that he was “prepared to wait as long as necessary”.
Check back for updates as they become available.
Not that I particuraly care for the guy but he is for a fact trying to sell his properties. From the sales data on the one’s I’ve seen, he’s sold at a loss on quite a few of them.
Does anyone know where Oliver lives?
I believe he lives in Ashland (a safe distance from his slums). Did you want his full address? Is that okay to put up on here?
The Criminal Case Details Page on the Virginia Courts Case Information site for case #GC09002971-00 says “ASHLAND, VIRGINIA 23005”. Given that, it isn’t too difficult to locate an Oliver Lawrence in Ashland, though I have no way of knowing if that is the same one.
John, he lives in Alshland and his house is worth moe then $1 million.
The wtvr report kind of misses how he played the system today…
Accused Landlord Appears in Court (wtvr 7/16/09)
Greg Lukanuski, Assistant City Attorney, says that
I think the Judge Cheeks has him figured out. Judge Cheeks did listen to the community feed back. I really hope that more people show up in Aug. The courts really need to from people. I got to provide him with community impact statement and Judge Cheeks really did listen.
Sad thing is that he will more then likely sell the houses but the condition of houses will remain the same.
Can we get this posted on North Richmond News?
Richmond vacant-property owner is convicted (RTD 7/16/09)
Jesse,
Do you have a list of properties curently for sale? Thanks.
I just thought that if people knew where Mr.Lawrence lived, they could go to Ashland, in complete compliance with all town ordinances and have a perfectly respectful demonstration educating his neighbors about his business practices.
John Whealton of the DCD calls dangerous the condition of the 3 buildings on Grace Street that burned in 2007:
He does have his property for sale, but for several times value of the property. It seems that somehow he has obtained loans for more than what the properties are worth. He has not sufficiently protected the properties from rain and they devalue every rainstorm. Everyday they are worth less and everyday he owes more. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!
Please do not post his address on here. My son plays over at their house and I would not appreciate some crazed person going to “visit”.
Joan, I don’t appreciate the crazy people squating his vacant houses coming to visit me.
We have worked with him on trying to purchase several of his homes, however, he doesn’t return phone calls, he owes us money for cleaning out several of his properties/mowing lawns…you want to be able to help the man but we should have known what he was doing in a broader scope before putting in our valuable time, labor, and resources to help. Just a warning for any of you who plan to work with him. Otherwise, we pray blessings on him & his family at this time that they will do the right thing–sell these homes! He really is a good man, but he is extremely overwhelmed.
He is trying to rent the house next door to me for $900. Did I mention that there was a condemned sticker on the house before he put the rent sign up in the yard?
Lawrence has a court date today at 12:30pm. I just found about it last night. Hopefully people can still come out.
I was just heading out the door. I’ll try to pop in.
His vacant properties tend to cause serious problems to neighbors as well as neighborhoods. I would like to see how he would act if he were forced to live in one. I think the city should allow the people to chose a different vacant home he owns for him to live in for a week. There are enough properties to last a good while. This would save future court money and tax money and possibly open his eyes. If he is a “good guy” he should more than happily accept and move in and fix them up. He needs to flip the press and publics opinion of him. He should try to start an outreach active living/rehab program. Get some people looking at hard times with the construction trades to be allowed to move in and do repairs. This will take time, but something needs to be said. The city needs to stand strong, no bullshit, just what is right for anyone.