A Carbon County sheriff’s deputy served a civil complaint last week to a woman Jim Thorpe Borough believes owns one of its biggest eyesore properties.

The borough filed the complaint in Carbon County Court asking a judge to force the person or people behind Emma and James Owen Real Estate LLC to tear down 204 Center Ave. or, should they not respond, allow the borough to demolish it and place a lien on the property.

“Fortunately, the borough was able to locate the person believed to be the owner of the LLC and they were served the complaint on May 22,” a borough Facebook post states. “The owner has not yet filed an answer to the complaint. The borough does not know what the owner will do.”

According to court paperwork, the owner is believed to be Barbara C. Goncalves, the same person entrenched in a legal battle over a property on West Snyder Avenue in Lansford.

Center Ave. background

Since 2013, the property has been the subject of violations of the Jim Thorpe International Property Maintenance Code.

A notice of violations had been given to the prior owner of the property, Irene A. Dever and, in 2017, the borough filed a civil complaint against Dever, according to Solicitor James Nanovic.

The relief requested in the complaint was to remove the “great deal of debris, junk and personal property in the property.”

Dever did not take any action to address the violations of the property maintenance code.

The property, Nanovic said, was later sold for taxes and purchased by Ronald Spiegel, LLC, which subsequently conveyed the property by a deed dated March 2, 2020, to the current LLC.

A memorandum from Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. to the borough in 2018 outlined structural assessment concerns for the vacant Jim Thorpe home.

The report noted “a severe deterioration of the roof, siding, interior finishes, and structural elements due to long-term exposure to weather and lack of maintenance.”

Specific issues include a “roof and roof deck collapsed and severely deteriorated, front porch roof and siding deteriorated with visible water stains, windows broken or displaced and framing rotted, organic growth and moisture damage throughout the interior, and structural elements like wood joists and foundations severely deteriorated.”

A reassessment in February 2024 showed “continued deterioration and collapse of the roof and floors, with significant exposure to the elements. The condition of the property has worsened, confirming the need for prompt demolition to prevent further collapse.”

Demolition grant

The home was slated to be torn down using part of a combined $300,000 state grant the municipality partnered with Palmerton and Lehighton borough to receive in 2021.

Jim Thorpe, however, said it did not have enough grant money left to cover post-demolition remediation to Williams’ home next door.

“Although the borough is seeking more grant money, that has been a problem,” the borough’s post said.

One year ago, borough officials said, owners started marketing the property and several contractors/builders expressed interest.

“That is, they believe it has value,” the borough post said. “Up until that time, it had been the belief of the borough that the property had no value. The borough can’t tear down a building with value without a court order. The borough will diligently pursue this process, but it will take time.”

Goncalves was served with the Jim Thorpe complaint at the Carbon County Prison, where she has been since being arrested on May 17 by Carbon County Det. Jack Soberick.

According to Soberick’s affidavit of probable cause, the arrest was related to an alleged theft of $26,000 involving a property sale in Lansford. Jason Garcia reported the incident on behalf of Peter Donnelly, who aimed to buy the property from Ronald Spiegel LLC, represented by Goncalves.

Donnelly and Garcia arranged to meet Goncalves in December 2023 at the property, according to the affidavit, but later met her at the Carbon County Administration Building. Garcia gave Goncalves $4,000 in cash and a $22,000 check. Goncalves provided paperwork for the deed but left without confirming the filing.

Although Goncalves had agreed to correct an error in the paperwork, an argument ensued during a meeting between her and Garcia in January 2024.

“Goncalves left with the paperwork and ceased communication,” Garcia told police according to the affidavit.

Donnelly’s $22,000 check was cashed, however. Investigations, according to the affidavit, revealed the money went to Citadel Credit Union, into an account owned by Ronald Spiegel LLC, with Goncalves as the sole owner.

During an interview with Det. Timothy Wuttke on May 1, Garcia said he had spoken with Gonclaves several times between March 24 and April 9.

“Garcia stated that Goncalves was concerned she may be arrested for taking Donnelly’s money,” Soberick wrote in the affidavit. “Garcia also stated during one of the conversations with Goncalves, she indicated she was going to be fleeing to Asia.”

Issues in Lansford

Goncalves received citations on Oct. 5, 2020, for four violations in Lansford including “structure unsafe for human occupancy, removal of a condemnation order placard, grading and drainage issues, and excessive weeds.”

She was convicted of these offenses in a magisterial district court in June 2022 after failing to appear for the hearing.

Goncalves filed a notice of appeal, leading to a November 2022 trial where testimony was provided by Lansford’s code enforcement officer and her neighbors.

According to court paperwork. Goncalves was again convicted and “sentenced to pay the prosecution costs and fines totaling $800.”