JOHNSTOWN —
Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan has filed a civil lawsuit against the owner of a bar and restaurant in the Oakhurst section of Johnstown – the scene of dozens of violent acts over the past few years.
In the 2-inch-thick document, Callihan is asking the county court to step in and close Edder’s Den for a period of not less than one year because it is damaging the peace and good order of the neighborhood.
In a subsequent action, Callihan is requesting an injunction seeking immediate action to close the bar and restaurant located at
534 Sheridan St.
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, a hearing on the injunction or the civil lawsuit had not been scheduled, according to the office of the Cambria County court administrator.
Callihan would not comment Tuesday on her action, saying she will wait until Edder’s owner, Edward Gawel, operating as Sheri-Den Inc., has received notice of the suit through the sheriff’s department.
In the lawsuit, Callihan terms violent actions at Edder’s Den a statutory nuisance, “creating an unsafe public condition by attracting violent patrons and by failing to prevent actions of its patrons.”
Attempts to reach Gawel for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.
In the lawsuit, Callihan lists 68 times the Johnstown Police Department has been called to the bar between June 30, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2012, including 20 times for assaults and fights and three times for shots fired.
The action to seek closing of the bar, while not unheard of, is relatively unusual due to reasons being used, said one attorney who asked not to be named. Such action is known due to persistent complaints of loud noise or lewd behavior, but seldom violence, the attorney said.
The bar is operated in a manner that creates an unsafe public condition by unnecessarily draining manpower and resources from the Johnstown Police Department, according to the document.
It is also creating an unsafe public condition by causing local residents living near Edder’s Den to fear for their public safety and poses a distinct threat to their health and safety.
Bar patrons conduct themselves in a disorderly manner in and around the premises, engaging in drug use and dealing, disorderly conduct, alarming and intimidating behavior, illegal firearms possession, theft, public intoxication and assaultive and threatening conduct, Callihan alleges.
Fear levels of those living around the bar have reached the point that many residents interviewed for a recent investigation declined to give their names for fear of reprisal from Edder’s Den patrons, according to the lawsuit.
The bar has received numerous citations by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated people, serving after hours, giving false information on liquor license application, allowing gambling and lottery on the premises, serving to underage people and other violations of state law.
Callihan said she has no adequate remedy under the state’s criminal code, so she is seeking civil action.
Along with notice of the lawsuit going to Gawel, also being notified is the director of licensing and the attorney representing the PLCB, and attorney Ryan Repark, representing the Johnstown Police Department.
Edward Gawel is listed as the primary shareholder of Sheri-Den Inc., while Roberta Louise Gawel is secretary, treasurer, director, stockholder and manager of the bar, according to documents filed with the state.
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