JRA Director fired; federal and state investigations alleged

Ronald W. Repak, director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, was fired Monday afternoon “for cause” according to a statement released by the authority.

The JRA met and took the action to fire Repak as well as accept the resignation of authority administrative assistant Deb Walter, said solicitor William Barbin. 

A typed statement released to 6 News said the JRA received information that Repak billed a Johnstown organization for more than $130,000 from a company he owned for work that the JRA alleges he did while working for the JRA.  That business was identified as Conemaugh Health Systems.

"Work that he was doing as a JRA director and was billing the tech park project for the same work, we feel he was double dipping while he was being paid by us.  He was also invoicing them,” said JRA board Chairman Monsignor Raymond Balta.

Meanwhile, Barbin and Balta confirmed they were made aware of ongoing state and federal investigations into Repak. 

They said they learned of the investigations in 2011.  Balta said the board wanted to make sure the action took Monday would not interfere with those investigations.

On February 12, Balta said Repak, Walter and a secretary were all put on administrative leave while the board did its own investigation into the JRA staff.  When contacted by phone at that time, Repak said he didn’t know about the leave and was only informed when a reporter called him.  Repak had no other comment at that time.

6 News contacted the FBI and the U.S. Attorney General’s offices last week, but both declined to comment on the nature of ongoing investigations.

Invoices show Repak billed Conemaugh for work between 2004 and 2007.  A hospital spokesperson declined comment when reached by phone Monday afternoon.

"I think the hospital deserves a tremendous amount of credit,” Balta said.  “They've been very open and very candid with us."

Phone calls to Repak were not returned Monday.

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