Jan 20, 2016 2 min read

Washington County Judge Gary Gilman sentenced a Canonsburg contractor on Wednesday to three years of probation and ordered him to pay $20,000 restitution to a South Strabane Township couple who paid him to do home improvements that he did not complete in October 2013.

Robert Semulka, 48, late last year pleaded guilty to charges of theft by deception, deceptive business practices and receiving advance payment for services and failing to perform them. He also pleaded guilty to a drug paraphernalia possession charge filed after a July 2014 traffic stop in Canonsburg.

Semulka, who is self-employed, told Gilman at the time he was working for the South Strabane Township couple he was going through family difficulties and was using drugs.

“I lost my family, I was going through a divorce and I had a problem with my back and painkillers,” Semulka said. “I used illegal drugs and was addicted.”

Semulka told the judge his family situation has since improved, and he has been drug-free since November 2014.

“I apologize for the inconvenience and problems I have caused,” Semulka read from a prepared statement. “I let my personal problems interfere with my performance. I want the opportunity to right the wrongs, and I ask for forgiveness.”

Gilman warned Semulka that if he doesn’t adhere to the restitution payment plan, he could be sent to jail.

One of the victims was in the courtroom for Semulka’s sentencing. He did not address the court and declined comment after the proceeding.