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Roustan United facing claims, delinquent taxes
(Tribune-Democrat, The (Johnstown, PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Mar. 31--EBENSBURG -- Roustan United, the Richland Township-based company that hoped to be part of a deal to manage the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, is facing financial woes, with civil financial claims totaling more than $120,000 in Cambria County Court and an even higher amount due in delinquent property taxes.
The company is in arrears on payments it's making on 2006 real estate taxes.
In addition, more than $140,000 is owed on delinquent property taxes for 2007 and 2008, the county tax claim office said.
And, Roustan settled another lawsuit last June for $12,612 by agreeing to make staggered payments to Lakeland Plastics Inc., of Pittsburgh, for plastic spacer strips and other products, according to records in the county prothonotary's office.
Roustan has been managing the arena's primary tenant, the Johnstown Chiefs hockey team.
Last year, it partnered with Global Spectrum of Philadelphia, one of the nation's leading managers of public assembly venues, in submitting a proposal to the county commissioners for the management of the War Memorial Arena.
On Monday, the county commissioners said that any deal with Roustan and Global was dead.
The commissioners did not discuss Roustan's financial problems, but said there were several confidential business considerations they considered.
Likewise, Roustan President Scott Branovan would not discuss the lawsuits and delinquent taxes.
On March 26, Advantage Staffing Inc. of Altoona obtained a $49,944 default judgment against Roustan United and Burley's Rink Supply of Salix for temporary staffing services.
Maintenance services and a laborer were supplied, according to the civil lawsuit filed by Advantage in April.
A lien for $3,734 was filed by the state's Unemployment Compensation Fund against Roustan United on Sept. 19. That amount remained outstanding from $10,218 owed, the state said.
This month, two new lawsuits were filed against Roustan.
Adex Sales of Westbank, B.C., Canada, is suing for $45,580 for glass panels to Roustan at facilities in Meadville, and Northbrook, Ill. EDC Industries of Elk Grove, Ill., is suing for $21,010 for merchandise allegedly supplied to Roustan.
The tax claim bureau said that the delinquent taxes are due on Roustan's Planet Ice property at 195 Jari Drive.
The company went on a payment plan last summer, agreeing to pay $6,399 a month. Six payments were made, with six remaining.
No payments were made in January, February or March, Joanne Ranck, assistant director, said.
The original amount delinquent for 2006, with interest and penalties, was $76,792 in property taxes owed to the county, Richland School District and Richland Township, she said.
Ranck said that Roustan also owes $71,518 in delinquent tax for 2007 and $69,261 for 2008.
To see more of The Tribune-Democrat or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tribune-democrat.com.
Copyright (c) 2009, Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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