WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — The owners of the Shoregate Towers apartment complex in Willowick have both received suspended jail sentences for breaking several building code laws.
Owners Lemma Getachew and Guenet Indale were sentenced by Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Marisa Cornachio on Tuesday. The pair were found guilty last week on multiple counts of property maintenance code violations.
The pair were each fined a total of $3,000 for crimes related to an infestation of rats and cockroaches, failing to replace missing balcony guards, inoperable elevators, and the accumulation of garbage. However, they will most likely not have to serve any portion of their respective 180-day jail terms as long as they don't violate probation for the next three years.
The charges were first filed just days after the parking garage collapsed at the building in Willowick on Aug. 23. The incident led officials to take a closer look at the building's conditions, which were revealed to be in a deplorable state.
Getachew's problems do not end with his sentencing on Tuesday. He is also facing 45 criminal charges from the Willowick Building Department for various building maintenance violations and failing to comply with city ordinances. He pleaded not guilty to each charge, with the trial set to take place starting Feb. 5 in Willoughby Municipal Court.
The newest complaint alleges that Getachew unaddressed safety issues, including failure to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the buildings and failure to repair damaged or broken fixtures and appliances, as well as other building property code violations.
In regards to today's case, Cornachio noted that $3,000 was the maximum fine amount she could issue according to the law. Getachew's company was also slapped with a separate $1,000 penalty.
Previous Reporting:
- Shoregate Towers owners found guilty of building code violations
- Willowick Building Department files 45 charges against owner of Shoregate Towers
- 3 weeks after parking garage collapse at Shoregate Towers apartments in Willowick, tenants don't have access to answers or their cars
- New photos, video show extent of damage after parking garage collapse at Shoregate Towers apartment building in Willowick