Local hotel developer indicted in Ohio

Local hotel developer indicted in Ohio

An Ohio grand jury has indicted Robert Falor, the Chicago developer whose failed attempts to redevelop three downtown hotels left a trail of bad feelings and lawsuits from investors and lenders.

Mr. Falor stole $400,000 from an Ohio man who invested in a plan to convert the former Hyatt Printers Row into a so-called condominium-hotel, according to the indictment by a Cuyahoga County, Ohio, grand jury. The project failed, and a mezzanine lender ultimately took over the hotel at 500 S. Dearborn St., now called the Hotel Blake.

The grand jury last week returned an indictment of one count of theft, a felony, meaning Mr. Falor, 41, could face as much as five years in prison if convicted, according to a spokesman for Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason.

The developer’s arraignment is scheduled for March 12. Attempts to reach Mr. Falor were unsuccessful.