Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The City of Warren Redevelopment Authority has expressed interested in bidding on this Madison Ave. property, which has been tied up in a drug forfeiture case for years. Terms of a settlement outlined in an Oct. hearing made a sale of the properties the most likely outcome.

There are hints that a resolution in a years-long dispute stemming from a botched drug forfeiture case may be near.

The whole saga goes back to a criminal case against Franklyn M. Geiger, who was sentenced in 2016 to 92 to 184 months in state prison on charges including running a corrupt organization.

As part of that plea deal, according to exhibits filed with the county’s suit — an action to quit title, Geiger agreed to an asset forfeiture that included several vehicles as well as three properties in the City of Warren – 13 Madison Ave., 11 Madison Ave. and 414 Laurel St.

The properties, by court order, were transferred to Warren County.

But the county had no knowledge of that transfer.

Now, the City of Warren Redevelopment Authority is interested in the properties.

“The authority is looking to accept a motion for a maximum bid of $15,000 to acquire 11 and 13 Madison should it come up for sale through the court system,” Authority vice-chair Michael Boyd said during a Wednesday meeting.

A motion to that effect was approved unanimously.

A settlement where the properties were to be sold appeared to be the most likely outcome in the wake of an October 2022 hearing before Judge Gregory Hammond.

The situation has been complicated by a sewer lien that pushes $15,000 while the filing notes nearly $7,000 in a lien for back taxes.

Before starting that hearing, Hammond said he would give additional time for settlement discussions. However, he defined what kind of settlement he would accept: the properties be put up for sale, the liens be paid then the county reimbursed for maintenance with any proceeds. Any remaining funding would go to the DA’s office.

“Frankly, I don’t care what source of county funds are used,” Hammond said. “To me, it’s a budget issue…. We’re wasting the taxpayers’ money in this litigation.”

He said in court that the matter “should have been settled six years ago.”

At 11 Madison Ave. is an empty lot while 13 Madison Ave. is a multi-floor residence that was condemned as “unfit for human occupancy” in 2017, according to a posting at the property.