Peduto Calls For Ravenstahl To Return Missing Items From Mayor's Office
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- When Bill 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.
Peduto says inside his office, highly-valued, irreplaceable items were missing, including a trophy commemorating the Steelers' 2006 Super Bowl victory given to the city by the NFL. It's valued at $30,000.
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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