Montco District Attorney settles with wrongly accused contractor

JENKINTOWN, Pa. -- The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is paying more than a $1 million to a Radnor building contractor who was wrongfully accused of theft.

Walter Logan says he spent the better part of 40 years building a strong business with a good reputation.

"And in virtually one day that all changed," he said.

That day arrived five years ago when Logan was arrested on theft charges.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's office claimed Logan was pocketing money that was supposed to go to subcontractors working the job.

Logan says the damage done to his business is immeasurable.

"There was a time when I could make a phone call and the people on the other end of the phone would answer it and say 'Walter how are you doing? So great to talk to you.' After the news, you could make the same phone call and someone was out of the office or put you on hold and you wouldn't get that call back," he said.

It turns out the allegations were false. In fact, Logan says the church still owed him more than $200,000.

As part of the agreement, District Attorney Risa Ferman issued a written, formal apology.

It reads in part "The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office apologizes to Mr. Logan for the arrest and any statements made to the press regarding the arrest."

Ferman goes on to write "There is no credible evidence that Mr. Logan ever stole anything from Salem Baptist Church, and we retract any statements to that effect..."

So the question that remains is how did a contract dispute lead to the arrest of innocent contractor?

Logan's attorney says that answer will surface during the civil suit he has already filed against Salem Baptist Church.

"We don't want to try that case today in front of you. We want to try that case in the courtroom and we'd be happy to talk to you afterward," said Mark Tanner, attorney.

Published reports say the settlement was $1.65 million but Logan's attorney wouldn't confirm that saying the settlement is confidential.

Action News reached out to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and officials from Salem Baptist Church but both said they could not comment at this time.