After "Mysterious Journey" Missing Clock Returned To Mayor's Office
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - One of several items reported missing by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has mysteriously reappeared.
Mayor Peduto says a "tip" led to a missing clock that was still in the City County building.
Peduto termed the return of the clock as a "mysterious journey."
"There was a clock that had been in the conference room that turned up in the city county building and that's the only item at this point that has been returned to me. We received a tip for where to go to look to find the clock and then it was there," Peduto said.
KDKA's Marty Griffin reported Monday that the clock was sitting in a city employee's office who had just retired. He called city leaders last week to say the clock was in his office, and he was going to get it fixed, but forgot about it.
Peduto said, "I don't know where the clock and how it's travels and where it had been. I can tell you that in 19 years and four different mayors sitting in that conference roOm that clock never made it past one inch on that mantle and it had a little journey. Like that little gnome in the movie Emily, traveling around somewhere."
Peduto also said a trophy commemorating the Steelers' 2006 Super Bowl victory given to the city by the NFL was also missing. It's valued at $30,000.
Marty Griffin also reported that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and his attorney Chuck Porter met with the FBI over a week ago and Ravenstahl returned the trophy to the FBI. Sources confirm the FBI still has the trophy.
When Peduto took over the mayor's office, a case once filled with plaques and citations given to the former mayor was empty.
But Peduto says that was just the tip of the iceberg and contacted federal authorities.
"We sent a list of all the property that was damaged and all that was missing to the FBI, estimates on that are approximately $200,000," said Mayor Peduto.
He also estimated that $80,000 in repairs would be needed to fix damaged property, a gashed painting and four chandeliers in the mayor's office.
Peduto says former mayor, Luke Ravenstahl, needs to return the missing items and fix the damages.
KDKA's Andy Sheehan: "And that's what you're asking for, some restitution?"
Peduto: "I don't know why the public should have to pay for missing items or damaged items."
Ravenstahl has not responded to requests for interviews, but his attorney Charles Porter has accused Peduto of political grandstanding.
Porter says all missing items are in safekeeping, and the Peduto administration needed only to ask for them back instead of contacting the FBI.
Peduto does not agree.
"When property is damage or stolen you don't contact the person you believe did it. You contact the authorities. At this point, with $200,000, it warranted itself to be turned over to the FBI," said Peduto.
Just how this matter will be resolved remains unclear.
The Ravenstahl camp and he Peduto camp aren't speaking to one another, and the matter is in the hands of the FBI and they're not commenting.
RELATED LINKS:
Peduto Administration Alerts FBI To Items Missing From Mayor's Office (2/28/14)
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