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Again Lawrence gets off lightly
The RTD reports that Oliver Lawrence was again minimally fined at his court appearance today, despite $357,050 in fines and almost a year of jail hanging over his head.
One of Richmond’s largest owners of vacant, run-down property was fined $3,600 today for 16 convictions of failing to meet city property standards on five of his holdings. [Assistant City Attorney Greg] Lukanuski said Lawrence is to be arraigned next Thursday on 19 additional property violations involving these six addresses: 2022 Parkwood Ave.; 3408 South St.; 1305 N. 37th St.; 1300 N. 38 St.; 1115 N. 34 St. and 1310 N. 38 St. Those charges involve overgrown vegetation and accumulation of trash and debris in yards.
The violations at the properties on 34th, 37th, and 38th Street appear to have been abated since the violations were posted on July 20th.
Sad that he is allowed to push things to the limit and then get a light tap on the hand for his violations. Also, interesting that he blames the bad economy for his inability to get loans. I wonder if the terrible condition of the homes make a difference?
However, we can all write him a letter: his address is listed on the court document in the photo above. Anyone need a pen pal?
Oliver Lawrence
12384 Mechumps Creek Ln
Ashland, VA 23005
He’s the guy that owns 2022 Parkwood? The police have been in there sooo many times for crack heads and heroin junkies. I hope somebody does something with it.
Frickin’ ridiculous. Sounds like the law applies similarly to both McQuinn and Lawrence. Are they perhaps cronie- er – friends? (http://chpn.net/news/2007/05/16/garage-has-mcquinn-in-hot-water_824/)
Seriously, does anyone know who Lawrence is connected to in government to allow this crap to go on?
BTW: for the record, I made no comments whatsoever in – and am not endorsing the “chicken bone” portions of – the above linked thread. I’m merely referring to the fact that McQuinn, like Lawrence, seemed to be able to avoid the normal fines, etc. associated with not properly maintaining her property.
I’ve tried for almost 2 yrs. to contact and offer to buy property from him on N.22nd. St. He’s totally non-responsive, letters are not answered, neither are phone calls. I’ve even tried the atty. approach. This is scandalous, and very sad! These properties continue to decline; and have been for years. So, he can’t blame the economy on his actions over the past several years. Even Code Enforcement can’t make things improve in a timely way.
Cynthia, #5, you might send a letter to the judge, I think his name was mentioned somewhere, maybe in the story that ran in the times dispatch. Might also mention your lawyer’s name and the fact that you’ve really tried to buy from him. I don’t know if that would work, but it’s worth a try. Hmm, here’s another name from above, [Assistant City Attorney Greg] Lukanuski that shouldn’t be hard to contact, just look up the commonwealth atty’s number in the phone book, you can probably get an email address on the phone.
This is maddening. Why do I worry about paying my city bills on time, when this guy can have fines that total more than a quarter of a million dollars and doesn’t have to pay them?
The Times Dispatch said the judge was Judge David Cheeks.
Doesn’t the City have the ability to take a property after the owner has failed to maintain it?
Since there is time to plan ahead, a suggestion for this coming Thursday the 20th:
The home owners and renters on this blog who are next to, or on the same block as, one of Mr. Lawrence’s decaying properties should show up in court with a photo of that house and a view the street it sits on showing the other homes.
This will put three more faces in front of the judge: yours, the neighborhoods and a decaying property he owns affecting it all.
Nothing fancy – even something printed in black and white off a printer would do.
I do not own anything next to his properties but I will go as a concernced citizen and bring pictures of a property that I offered to buy a year ago. As of yesterday, it’s still boarded up, has waist high grass and trash in front of it. Nothing has changed in a year. The rest of the block is lovely with the exception of his property.
Even a handful of people would make an impact.
Hey, aren’t we being charged a new storm water runoff ta- er – “fee” to help raise capital for the city? Why then is this delinquent let off the hook for a third of a million dollars in fines?????
Not only does this mean a big direct loss of revenue for the city in terms of the fines that have evidently been dismissed, but the ultra light sentence means that Lawrence will likely continue to leave his homes dilapidated and thereby dramatically reduce the property values / tax base for the whole neighborhood.
Also sets a pretty poor precedent for others in the city who don’t take care of their property.
heres a solution guaranteed to please all the good progressive liberals, give the man 250K in stimulous money and then he can give it to the govt. Problem solved, liberals happy now
Liberty… instead of that poor solution the better one is that we arrest the man. Put him in jail. Seize all his property which is then sold at an auction to only local Church Hill’ers, with a cap of lets say 5 homes per person… and recover more than the 250K owed… not only does the government get their money, but concerned, local citizens get the chance to buy the properties and MAINTAIN them finally.
Here’s my 2 cents. If he carries mortgages on these properties is he required to have home owners insurance? Not sure but I think so. If so and we somehow find out the insurer, we could send pictures of these dilapadated houses to the insurance companies and they would demand he fix them or loose coverage. He’s so slimy I’m sure he’s figured out a way NOT to have insurance on them, but it would be worth a try if the courts won’t do it F&*& with his livelihood in other ways…. Before my house was restored I lost coverage when the insurance company came out to inspect and review the property for their files. I could only get limited insurance coverage during the rehab.
Again, I bring up the landlord licence. It works in other cities and could be another source of revenue for the City that does not soak the resident homeowners.
The bank can require you to maintain insurance so they can be sure they will get paid. If there is no lienholder, there is no requirement to maintain insurance…
It’s sad to continue to see what Mr. Lawrence is doing to properties in the Richmond area. I like others have tried numerous times to buy properties from him to no avail. Could never get calls back, emails returned, or responses to offers in a timely fashion. Often times I’ve seen him refuse for so long to sell property that people tend to just give up.
What do you guys think about making this a campaign issue for the candidates who are running for the 7th District City Council seat?
Additionally, since VA State Law regarding property ownership is often cited as aiding slumlords and hindering localities, we might make this a campaign issue for candidates for the VA House of Delegates.
Slumlord issues effect us directly in this district (both city and state). Why not make it a topic of discussion with our local & state candidates this fall?
Deanna (#9) is right. Go to court. Tell the judge that code enforcement is important. Ask for the maximum sentence and for Lawrence to be remanded until his fines are paid. General District judges are disrespectful of code enforcement and city ordiannces.
Here’s another creative option for a city that might impact not only Lawrence but other problems we’re faced with on the east end:
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/vid/15113936
Bullwinkle, looks good to me. Let’s see if the new chief will go for it.
Elaine, this topic should be addressed in this campaign. The subject was brought up several times by people on my travels through the neighborhoods.
So, today is Friday, Aug. 21. Wasn’t he back in court again yesterday, Aug. 20? If so, what happened? Anybody go?