Good news for Kyle, thanks to Judge Ann Lokuta:
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Lokuta says Paragon can keep land until appeals have been exhausted
WILKES-BARRE – The owner of Paragon Adventure Park scored another victory in court today when a judge ruled that Kyle Knosp – the off-road-vehicle park owner – would keep possession of the park’s land until all appeals on a lease issue have been exhausted.
Gladstone Partners L.P. – a group that wants to build a $1.6 billion cargo airport on land partly occupied by the park – sued Knosp, claiming that he breached his 25-year lease with landowner PCA Corp. The Gladstone Partners want Paragon evicted so they can buy the land from PCA Corp.
Knosp denied breaching the lease and is appealing an eviction order issued by a lower court.
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ann Lokuta denied nearly every motion or request Gladstone made at today’s hearing, including a request to recuse herself from the case because of a possible prejudice toward Gladstone’s attorney of record – Jill Moran, who is also the county prothonotary.
Lokuta heard arguments on whether a preliminary injunction she issued yesterday to bar Gladstone from the land through the appeal process should remain in effect.
Gladstone on Monday had exercised an eviction order from a lower court; they padlocked the park gate and locked Knosp out of his office trailer.
The order Lokuta issued today prohibits Gladstone from denying Knosp access to the land and barred Gladstone from interfering with Paragon’s use of the land throughout the appeals process. Her order also requires Knosp to post a $7,648.35 bond to guarantee his appeal, rather than honor Gladstone’s request that he post a $40 million bond.
Look for the full story in Thursday’s Times Leader.
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