City Council candidate faces another housing charge

By Alicia Petska

Published: April 17, 2008

A fourth charge has been filed against City Council candidate David Johnston in his ongoing clash with city building inspectors.

Johnston, who’s running for the Ward II seat against incumbent Ceasor Johnson, has failed close to two dozen housing inspections over the last four years.

On Tuesday, city inspectors filed a misdemeanor complaint in General District Court charging him with failing to correct “housing defects.”

This is the fourth such case they’ve brought against the political newcomer since first inspecting his home on Park Avenue in November 2003.

In each of the other cases, Johnston appealed to the Circuit Court and lost. He’s paid close to $3,000 in fines and court costs, according to court records.

Earlier this month, he described the city’s tactics as “strong-arming.” Contacted on Thursday, he said he was unaware another case had been filed but would save any further comment for his court appearance.

A hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. May 16.

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