South Side bar co-owned by Steelers' Ward to be auctioned

A South Side bar co-owned by Steelers receiver Hines Ward will be auctioned May 23 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Bids for the Locker Room Bar & Grille will start at $920,000. The sale includes the building and the liquor license. Interested parties must contact attorney Guy Fustine at 814-459-2800 at least three days before the hearing.

Ward will buy the business for $900,000 if no one bids more than $920,000, according to a bankruptcy court agreement.

The legal battle over the finances of the bar began in September when co-owner Nicholas Lettieri filed a lawsuit alleging insurance fraud and accused Ward and co-owner Korry Pitts of illegally diverting the business's money to personal bank accounts. Locker Room Bar & Grille filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.

Ward and Pitts denied any wrongdoing. Federal bankruptcy court has assumed jurisdiction over the case.