B
eaver County Real Estate Deal Raises Questions of Insider Trading

    A real estate deal in Beaver County has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether a former county solicitor benefited from his position. Joe Askar purchased the old Beaver County Times building last year for $675,000 and is now set to sell it to the county for $2.8 million, netting him a profit of over $2 million.

    Beaver County Controller Maria Longo has raised concerns about the deal, citing possible red flags. She wonders whether Askar had inside information about the building's value due to his position as solicitor for the Assessment Office, which recently reassessed the property at $3.2 million. Longo has asked the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to investigate.

    The county commissioners are set to purchase the building to house records and other equipment, but Longo questions whether Askar benefited from his connection to Commissioner Dan Camp, a close friend. Camp has defended the deal, saying it's not shady, but acknowledges that there is public perception of impropriety.

    Longo notes that the sale price is four times what Askar paid for the building and asks why the county didn't purchase it directly last year when it was valued at $3.2 million. She also questions whether deals were made before the purchase, which she can't answer to. The Beaver County commissioners are moving forward with the purchase despite Longo's concerns.