Dec. 15, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
PITTSBURGH — Bernadette Ratkovich arose from a nearby seat and moved a couple of steps toward her husband.
Minutes before Robert Ratkovich’s sentencing was to start in downtown federal court, she placed an arm across her husband’s back and kissed him on the cheek. The moment offered a brief diversion yesterday afternoon from the stress of a mortgage fraud investigation.
Saying he weighed the nature of the crime against the nature of the person, U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond rejected federal guidelines when he sentenced Ratkovich on one count of bank and mail fraud conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to launder money.
A commitment to family and federal investigators kept the New Castle resident from a prison sentence of 33 to 41 months.
Instead, the former city councilman received five years probation for each count, which will be served at the same time. He also was placed under house arrest for eight months and ordered to repay $338,800.
Ratkovich pleaded guilty to the charges on July 28, 2009.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that he and retired city school administrator Nicholas DeRosa conspired to defraud First Commonwealth Bank. Affordable Housing of Lawrence County, a nonprofit housing agency, obtained a $250,000 mortgage in December 2005 for the purchase of seven properties in which the values had been inflated.
Ratkovich was a consultant for the group, which was created by and funded with $200,000 from the Lawrence County Housing Authority in 2003. He was paid approximately $60,000. DeRosa owned or co-owned four of the seven structures.
“I think this man has learned his lesson and accepted responsibility,” attorney John T. Haller Jr. told the judge.
Haller asked Diamond to consider several factors, such as Ratkovich’s dedication to family, his remorse, assisting government investigators and how he turned around his life.
Ratkovich apologized to his family and the residents of New Castle prior to sentencing.
“I have let people down,” he said. “I helped the government because I did something wrong and that is not who I am.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway said the government was impressed with the information Ratkovich presented and his willingness to aid investigators.
“It was a key moment in the case when he pleaded guilty and helped the government,” he said.
DeRosa had become the government’s main target.
He admitted to single felony counts of bank fraud, mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering on Oct. 28. DeRosa is scheduled to be sentenced March 1.
Conway also backed Haller’s depiction of his client.
“He is definitely a family man,” he said. “He went out and got jobs and continued to work while awaiting sentencing.”
While acknowledging the seriousness of the offenses, Diamond and Conway each discussed the merits of sending Ratkovich to prison.
Based on his contributions, taxpayers should not have to pay for his incarceration, Conway said. Diamond agreed with that view.
The $338,800 in restitution will be split between First Commonwealth Bank ($218,800) and the housing authority ($120,000). He must pay 10 percent of his gross monthly income toward that amount.
During home detention, Ratkovich will be allowed to leave for work, church services, doctor appointments and activities involving his children.
“I believe the defendant in this case won’t commit offenses in the future,” the judge said as the 20-minute session ended.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Marching against violence
Dec. 10, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
A prayer for change launched a plan that resulted in a march.
Last night’s Stop the Violence prayer walk on Halco Drive was quiet and respectful as opposed to the violent, mid-morning death of Trevaughn Lamont Thompson on Nov. 30. Using the biblical tale of Jericho as their guide, religious leaders and community residents want the walls of violence to collapse throughout New Castle.
Like the Israelites in the Book of Joshua, seven marches will take place throughout the city.
“Our community and our youth have been hurting for quite some time now,” said Apryl Scrim, a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, located on North Street. “A change is not a recommendation but a must.
“There is an outcry that everybody is ready for a change. Enough is enough.”
After Thompson’s death, Scrim began her efforts with discussions on her Facebook page. That led to prayer vigils, which were held at St. Paul and St. John United Holy Church.
“One person had an idea to use a social network to call people into prayer, and it began to grow,” said Gary Mitchell, who also attends St. Paul.
Mitchell began organizing marches to coincide with the vigils. Last night’s dual event started at Bethel AME Church, 312 Green St. Participants headed past Grant Street through Halco Drive before returning to the church.
“We’ve come out of our comfort zone to take a stand against violence in all its forms, said Mitchell, who also oversees a community outreach and prison ministry called Rebuilding of Life.
“This is a place people call home. We come not to judge or ridicule, but we come to show support and offer some love.”
Approximately 100 people walked on or drove along Halco Drive, which is part of the Grant Street housing development. There was limited activity throughout the duplexes as the marchers moved ahead and past the site where Thompson was shot.
“The violence that we see today is not what it was when I first got here,” said the Rev. Jeannette Hubbard, who has served at Bethel AME Church for 16 years. “There was no violence at all.
“I’m always in a state of wonderment as to why things happen.”
Hubbard said last night’s event showed people united in faith and a common goal.
“Let the city of New Castle know we are working together to break all cycles of violence.”
Vincent Wise, associate minister at St. Paul, said spiritual healing broke his bond with drugs.
“I grew up in the streets,” he said. “I used to sell drugs and use drugs. I was a drug addict.
“It didn’t take rehab to get me off drugs. It was the power of prayer. God came in and cleaned me up.”
Like Hubbard, the Rev. Richard Rue ministers to Halco Drive residents at Union Baptist Church, located on West Grant Street.
“Being that it’s a small area, when anything happens it makes a big scene. There’s some great people there.”
The next prayer vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Prevailing Word World Outreach Ministries, 114 Oakland Ave. Mitchell is planning marches for housing developments at Westview Terrace and Sciota Street.
“If you hear a loud noise in New Castle, that’s the walls coming down,” Wise said.
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
A prayer for change launched a plan that resulted in a march.
Last night’s Stop the Violence prayer walk on Halco Drive was quiet and respectful as opposed to the violent, mid-morning death of Trevaughn Lamont Thompson on Nov. 30. Using the biblical tale of Jericho as their guide, religious leaders and community residents want the walls of violence to collapse throughout New Castle.
Like the Israelites in the Book of Joshua, seven marches will take place throughout the city.
“Our community and our youth have been hurting for quite some time now,” said Apryl Scrim, a member of St. Paul Baptist Church, located on North Street. “A change is not a recommendation but a must.
“There is an outcry that everybody is ready for a change. Enough is enough.”
After Thompson’s death, Scrim began her efforts with discussions on her Facebook page. That led to prayer vigils, which were held at St. Paul and St. John United Holy Church.
“One person had an idea to use a social network to call people into prayer, and it began to grow,” said Gary Mitchell, who also attends St. Paul.
Mitchell began organizing marches to coincide with the vigils. Last night’s dual event started at Bethel AME Church, 312 Green St. Participants headed past Grant Street through Halco Drive before returning to the church.
“We’ve come out of our comfort zone to take a stand against violence in all its forms, said Mitchell, who also oversees a community outreach and prison ministry called Rebuilding of Life.
“This is a place people call home. We come not to judge or ridicule, but we come to show support and offer some love.”
Approximately 100 people walked on or drove along Halco Drive, which is part of the Grant Street housing development. There was limited activity throughout the duplexes as the marchers moved ahead and past the site where Thompson was shot.
“The violence that we see today is not what it was when I first got here,” said the Rev. Jeannette Hubbard, who has served at Bethel AME Church for 16 years. “There was no violence at all.
“I’m always in a state of wonderment as to why things happen.”
Hubbard said last night’s event showed people united in faith and a common goal.
“Let the city of New Castle know we are working together to break all cycles of violence.”
Vincent Wise, associate minister at St. Paul, said spiritual healing broke his bond with drugs.
“I grew up in the streets,” he said. “I used to sell drugs and use drugs. I was a drug addict.
“It didn’t take rehab to get me off drugs. It was the power of prayer. God came in and cleaned me up.”
Like Hubbard, the Rev. Richard Rue ministers to Halco Drive residents at Union Baptist Church, located on West Grant Street.
“Being that it’s a small area, when anything happens it makes a big scene. There’s some great people there.”
The next prayer vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Prevailing Word World Outreach Ministries, 114 Oakland Ave. Mitchell is planning marches for housing developments at Westview Terrace and Sciota Street.
“If you hear a loud noise in New Castle, that’s the walls coming down,” Wise said.
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