JOHNSTOWN — A Westmont Borough couple could lose their posh suburban home after posting bail for a cocaine pusher who then went on the run.

Businessman John George and his wife, Dalal, pledged their Shelburne Drive home to cover the $175,000 cash bail of Cornelius A. Andrews, 26, of the Solomon Homes, Johnstown.

Andrews is long overdue to show up for his January sentencing in Blair County Court on his conviction for dealing crack cocaine in Altoona.

Blair Assistant District Attorney Pete Weeks said Andrews faces a minimum of five years in prison, and perhaps 20-plus, on his November conviction.

Weeks said he recalled telling George to think about what he was doing when he put his house up.

“ ‘I’m just telling you, sir, he’s facing a lot of time,” Weeks said he told George. “ ‘I think this guy is a flight risk.

“ ‘You should take a long, hard look at this because he doesn’t care about you.’ ”

Weeks made clear he would go after the home if Andrews was a no-show.

The family had little comment beyond daughter Michelle George’s clipped statement, “We could lose everything.”

But the Georges might not lose their house even if Andrews isn’t caught.

That’s because they only pledged $175,000 on their $450,000 home, which they own free and clear. So, they might be able to take out a $175,000 mortgage if need be.

George family attorney David Weaver said no final forfeiture is at hand, and “that could take a while.”

The manhunt

Weeks was tight-lipped about the manhunt – not caring to venture whether he believed Andrews had skipped the Cambria/Blair area.

“I will say that we have a federal agency looking for him as well as the Blair County Drug Task Force, Altoona police, Hollidaysburg PD and the U.S. Marshals office,” he said Friday.

Weaver asked Andrews to give up.

“We would hope that soon enough Mr. Andrews would realize the foolishness of his choice and would surrender to authorities so as to not make matters worse for himself,” he said Friday.

If he does, the Georges would be off the hook – except, possibly, forfeiting the cost of the manhunt up to $175,000.

Blair County Judge Jolene Kopriva revoked the bail in January when Andrews didn’t show.

Blair Judge Timothy Sullivan ruled early this month that the county can begin proceedings to take the property. Weaver termed that a “procedural formality.”

George had posted Andrews’ $75,000 bail before the trial and Andrews showed up for all court dates. The bail was raised once Andrews was convicted.

Andrews was found guilty of several drug counts after police caught him in July 2008 delivering a quarter pound of crack to an informant in a Broad Avenue apartment. The drugs were valued at $4,000.

He took off before sentencing.

Lingering question

The question remains as to why George would go to bat for a convicted felon in this way. Weeks said George is not a bail bondsman and that George and Andrews are not related.

“I don’t believe they have any sort of relationship at all,” he said.

Weaver said simply, “It’s John being John.

“John is being made a victim of his own generosity, his good will and his genuine concern for other people.”

In an interview with another newspaper in early March, George was quoted as saying, “A lot of people call me all the time for help.” He said Andrews’ attorney – William Bills of Pittsburgh – called asking for the bail.

George owns the Pyramids Lounge at 370 Sheridan St. in Johnstown’s West End, where he has become acquainted with many customers over the years and has helped others in a similar fashion.

“They come in for fish,” he said in a telephone interview Saturday.

George has posted bond for other people before. Asked why he helped Andrews, George said, “because I’m stupid.”

“I knew him. He was always good before. I don’t know what happened.”

George is confident that authorities will catch up with Andrews.

“Where are you gonna run? You’re gonna get caught. You can’t go forever.”



Sean Roane of The Tribune-Democrat contributed to this report.