State agency calls Willard & Kelsey loan due

BY KRIS TURNER
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority said today it wants the outstanding balance repaid now on its $5 million loan to Willard & Kelsey Solar Group in Perrysburg.

The solar-panel company has until Sept. 3 to repay the loan.

This marks the second time this month that a state agency has called loan funds issued to Willard & Kelsey due. Willard & Kelsey received $10 million in loan funding from the state for equipment and operations.

The Ohio Department of Development called its $5 million loan to the company due in an Aug. 6 letter to the firm.

A Blade investigation revealed the company used its funds for more than $1.4 million in executive payments and trips to sporting events. The firm's former chief executive officer also claimed the company paid its executives with state loan funds, which would violate its state loan agreement.

William Mitchell, the firm's former CEO, was fired in 2009 and died in 2011.

Willard & Kelsey Vice President of Development Mossie Murphy did not return a call seeking comment. Michael Cicak, the company's CEO, also did not return a call seeking comment.

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