Photos of Carl Vasallo's propertyATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Daniel Weede stood up for his north Atlanta neighborhood Thursday after years of living next to one of the city's worst code violators.
"What made me take action here was the violence and the threats of violence," said neighbor Daniel Weede.
Weede said his neighbor, Carl Vasallo, has been cited by code enforcement more than 20 times, primarily for building code violations. Vasallo owns property on Mountain Way in Buckhead.
"I've heard from quite a few sources, including city sources, that he had an automatic weapon and when he saw a code inspector on his property he brandished the weapon and escorted the inspector off of his property," Weede said.
CBS Atlanta News also learned that Vasallo was arrested earlier this year for domestic violence.
"I feel bad and I feel horrible for the family," Weede said.
A city source told CBS Atlanta News that Vasallo was scheduled to appear in court Friday for the code violations, but late Thursday he began negotiating a plea deal with the city.
"The desired result is going to be compliance. Compliance with the laws, respecting the creek setbacks, respecting building code, respecting city officials who come out to do their job," Weede said.
The city of Atlanta issued a statement, which said: "We are preparing to go to trial, but we always welcome a property owner seeking voluntary compliance."
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