Former Johnstown Redevelopment Authority Director Charged with Extortion, Bribery

JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating federal extortion and bribery laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The six-count indictment named Ronald W. Repak, 62.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Repak, while serving as executive director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority (JRA), engaged in conduct in violation of the Hobbs Act for extortion under color of official right and engaged in multiple acts of federal program bribery. Specifically, in exchange for Repak’s official actions and influence as the executive director of the JRA to facilitate the award of JRA contracting work, Repak solicited and obtained from local contracting firms a new roof for his personal residence, building demolition and grading services at Evolution Gym (his son’s privately owned business), and multiple Pittsburgh Steelers football game tickets.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 90 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Repak.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.