The demolition crews had barely begun their work in razing the old Faith Life Church on Spalding Drive to make way for a new senior living center, when the news hit that one of the principals in the company developing the property had been charged with bribery by the federal government.
Mark Gary, one of three principals in Gary Holding Company, was charged on Sept. 5, 2012 with bribing a Gwinnett County Commissioner in 2009. He appeared before a United States Magistrate judge and was release on bond.
But Peachtree Corners residents who lived nearby had been waiting for several years to see the bulldozers arrive to tear down the old church and buildings that had long fallen into disrepair. A fire last November to the church building only added to the eye sore the property had become.
What would happen now, some have wondered out loud. Would the development be halted due to the charges against Gary? Patch contacted Gary's attorney, Paul Kish, who is handling his case for a response.
"We can't say anything right now," said Kish in regards to the federal charges against his client. "but we do not expect this federal case to get in way or impede the development," he added.
Kish said he was unable to answer any further questions due to the pending federal case.
Gary was charged with paying off the former Gwinnett County Dist. 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter to ensure an application to allow the development of a solid waste transfer station would be approved.
The City of Peachtree Corners new Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the site plans for the Noble Village at Spalding development on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
See also:
Feds Charge Noble Village Developer with Bribery
Lasseter, Son Reportedly Face Bribery Charges
Keep up with Peachtree Corners news. Subscribe to the Peachtree Corners Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
