Rental property in the 700 block of 3rd Avenue in Wausau. Image courtesy: WAOW-TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – A Wausau landlord is facing criminal charges over poor living conditions at one of his rental properties. City officials say he repeatedly tore off condemnation notices that had been place at the apartment he rented on Third Avenue.
Bryan Morel, 40, of Mosinee is facing four counts of theft by false representation. Three of those charges are for between $5,000 and $10,000. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison for each charge.
In a criminal complaint, prosecutors said Morel’s property in the 700 block of South Third Avenue in Wausau had multiple violations and that Morel was not compliant with orders from city inspectors dating to February of 2021.
At that time, the building was officially declared condemned and unfit for human habitation. However, those notices were repeatedly removed and people are still living in the building.
An inspection report found roaches in both the apartments and the attached bar; at least one abandoned vehicle; and a shower that had been ripped out and never replaced. Tenants said in the police report that in the winter of 2020 and 2021, pipes burst in the basement and that the heat in at least one apartment had quit working. They also said they were not able to contact Morel to fix the issues.
Morel’s next court appearance is set for Oct. 20.
Comments