Judge Shuts Down Easton Car Lot

Easton officials say they've won a long-term battle with the owner of a city car lot who had been keeping nearly 200 automobiles on a 1-acre property.

A ruling issued Wednesday by Northampton County Judge Leonard Zito sided with the city, which had gone to court earlier this year to get the Elias Auto Center at 13th and Bushkill streets to clean up its property.

Zito's ruling orders the business to cease operating until the premises meet the city's zoning code, and to pay a $5,000 fine.

That's the largest fine Mayor Sal Panto says he can remember. 

"This owner has basically taken a repair shop and made it a junk yard," he said.

Elias Auto owner Elie Sabra told the Morning Call earlier this year that he was working on removing the cars.

But city officials say that he actually added to the number while the case was in court.