{"id":260813,"date":"2026-08-07T05:36:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T05:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/260813\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T05:36:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T05:36:08","slug":"man-accused-in-deed-fraud-scheme-owns-stairs-that-collapsed-injured-woman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/260813\/","title":{"rendered":"Man accused in deed fraud scheme owns stairs that collapsed, injured woman"},"content":{"rendered":"

PITTSBURGH \u2014 The man arrested last month and accused of orchestrating one of Western Pennsylvania\u2019s largest-ever deed fraud schemes<\/a> also owns the property where a woman fell more than 20 feet over the weekend after the stairs gave way, 11 Investigates discovered.<\/p>\n

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Woman falls about 20 feet through outdoor staircase in Pittsburgh\u2019s South Side Slopes, officials say<\/a><\/p>\n

William Schneider\u2019s LLC is listed as the owner of 2535 Mission Street on the South Side Slopes. It\u2019s the same LLC that tied him to many of the 30 properties he\u2019s accused of stealing<\/a> from unsuspecting owners, including one two blocks down the road.<\/p>\n

The house now features a large condemned sign on the front unit warning people the stairs aren\u2019t safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I went down, the step just collapsed in,\u201d John Thompson, another tenant on the property, recalled. \u201cLike three minutes later, I seen her coming down. I said — I\u2019m not sure if she was on the phone \u2013 \u2018Watch the step now, it just broke on us.\u2019 As soon as I opened my door, all we heard is, \u2018Help!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The stairs have since been repaired and are waiting for a follow-up inspection from code enforcement. Thompson and others said they didn\u2019t trust the work, since contractors hired by Schneider re-used much of the wood that collapsed.<\/p>\n

Thompson is now using a stepladder to access his neighbor\u2019s stairs until someone trustworthy declares his safe.<\/p>\n

Schneider defended the work in a text message relayed by his attorney Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo complaints were filed regarding the steps [before they gave way],\u201d he wrote. \u201cThe property passed a Section 8 inspection which deemed the property safe. The steps have since then been repaired by a qualified contractor and deemed safe by himself and another contractor.\u201d<\/p>\n

A family member for the woman who fell said she suffered multiple broken bones, including a broken back.<\/p>\n

Schneider is next expected in court for the alleged fraud scheme in September.<\/p>\n

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