US magistrate recommends nearly $200K payment order for Boardman man

YOUNGSTOWN — A U.S. magistrate has recommended that a man, who purported to be an authorized representative of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, be ordered to pay nearly $200,000 to a photocopier supplier.

Magistrate George J. Limbert recommended last week that Craig A. Gilchrist, whose address was listed as a Tanglewood Drive apartment in Boardman, be ordered to pay a $199,628 debt to the Georgia-based G.E. Capital Information Technology Solutions Inc.

Gilchrist could not be reached for comment today.

U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson, who referred the matter to Limbert for his report and recommendation, has not acted upon the magistrate’s recommendation.

G.E.’s lawsuit against Gilchrist and the church says Gilchrist signed five-year leases with G.E., totaling more than $2,000 per month, for photocopiers and related accessories on behalf of the church in 2007.

The leases also included charges for copies above a set threshold number and 5 percent late charges for payments more than 10 days overdue.

In its lawsuit, G.E. said Gilchrist falsely claimed to be the church’s chief operating officer and to be authorized to enter into such agreements on behalf of the church.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com