Morning recap: Standoff ends with arrest in Monongahela; Mayor Gainey's communications director resigns

Here is some news from Thursday, August 15, 2024:

Standoff ends with arrest in Monongahela

A Carnegie Street man was arrested Wednesday night after an hours-long police operation in Monongahela that began after a chase.

Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh told Trib news partner WTAE that 19-year-old Emmanuel Houghton was taken into custody around 7:45 p.m.

Houghton had barricaded himself in a house near Third and Chess streets, about a block from the city's main business district. Walsh told reporters that police were pursuing a stolen vehicle around 9 a.m. when Houghton fired at officers and fled into the house.

WTAE reported that during the standoff, a Facebook live video showed a man believed to be Houghton describing the events from inside the house where he was hiding.

According to court records, authorities have a warrant for Houghton's arrest in connection with a theft incident in Pittsburgh on July 14. No charges have been filed in connection with the incident. He remains under court supervision in a trespassing and terroristic threatening case filed by Scott Township police in connection with an incident last year.

Mayor Gainey's communications director resigns

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's communications director has resigned from her post, Trib news partner WTAE reported.

Maria Montaño was appointed in February 2022, making her the city's first openly transgender woman to hold the position. She previously worked at SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania and was communications director for the Professional Disc Golf Association World Championships held in Pittsburgh in 2015.

She also worked with City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger to expand protections for Pittsburgh's LGBTQ+ community.

Moon Township man pleads guilty to $1 million tax fraud

A Moon Township man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to failing to report $1 million in business income between 2017 and 2022.

Albert Boyd Jr., 53, pleaded guilty to willfully filing a false tax return. Prosecutors said Boyd failed to report income from Boyd Roll-Off Services, Inc.'s scrap metal sales on his tax return. Instead, the cash proceeds were not deposited into the business account and the checks were deposited into other accounts, authorities said.

The verdict is scheduled for December 17.

Gas company admits not to have challenged environmental violations

A Greene County natural gas company has pleaded guilty to environmental violations related to the operation of several wells between 2015 and 2020, according to Attorney General Michelle Henry.

Greylock Production this week announced four violations of the Clean Streams Act and two violations of the Solid Waste Management Act. The company was fined $30,000. An additional $60,000 will be paid to Trout Unlimited's Chestnut Ridge branch and $50,000 to Stream Restoration, Inc.

Henry said an investigation found problems on the drilling platforms operated by Greylock that led to leaks and contamination of the water supply. Two employees have been charged.