A judge has ordered a Duluth man to pay $100,000 restitution -- the city's insurance deductible -- for setting a fire that caused $384,058 in damage to the Harrison Community Center in July.
Tylor Ray Olson, 20, pleaded guilty in October to third-degree arson for starting the fire at the center on July 13. A charge of second-degree arson was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Olson said that he started the fire with newspapers in a coal chute to keep warm, but claimed that he did not intend to start the building on fire.
Sixth Judicial District Judge Shaun Floerke sentenced the defendant in October to three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, $210 in court costs and to undergo a psychological evaluation. At that time, the judge took under advisement the issue of restitution.
In an order filed Friday, Floerke ruled that Olson was directly responsible for the city's out-of-pocket cost -- the $100,000 insurance deductible -- to repair the community center.
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However, according to a memorandum accompanying the court order, Olson has no income and owes $15,000 for his own medical bills. He is not working and is essentially homeless. Olson has applications pending for Supplemental Security Income and medical assistance.
"The court has no way to predict Mr. Olson's future circumstances, and his current situation should not excuse him from reimbursing the city of Duluth for damages for which he is clearly responsible should he have an ability to do so in the future,'' Floerke wrote. "Mr. Olson may bring a motion to adjust his repayment schedule in the event he is asked to pay more than he is able.''
Arrowhead Regional Corrections will regularly review Olson's financial status while he is on probation to set up a payment schedule based on his ability to pay. When his probation is completed, any unpaid restitution can be sought through civil means.
The building lost its boiler, electrical system and several floor joists. The clubhouse's closure was a blow to the Lincoln Park/West End community, for whom it provides meeting space, a playground, activities and more than 20 regular programs for seniors and children. The club remains closed and it's unclear when the repair work can be done to reopen.
