Home on the bombing range

Military history still haunts develpment site

KB Home representative "stated that his subcontractors had found 26 (Mark 23) practice bombs," and "an attorney representing approximately 80 homeowners in Southridge Hills stated that he had nine (Mark 23) practice bombs in his possession," Marcel W. Weiner, the lead lawyer in this civil lawsuit,... said... that he now possesses about a dozen practice bombs ... and he plans to use them as evidence in the lawsuit... King-Lewis stated in a sworn affidavit that she was approached in 2002 by Victor Toledo, a KB Home representative who allegedly "did attempt to coerce, bribe, induce, manipulate and persuade me to signfalse affidavits." She also reported that Toledo "was unquestionably clear in his attempts to harass and force my family and me into submission by the offer of financial compensation as an inducement, in exchange for my signature on a false affidavit, which would be used to give witness against Janet Ahmad in his pursuit of future criminal actions against her." ...in late May theTarrant County district attorney's office cleared Ahmad of all charges. 

IEQ Review
Jury Awards $8.6 Million to Calif. Condo Owners For Defects,
Personal Injuries

A California jury on Sept. 8 awarded $8,571,028 in damages for construction defects and personal injuries claimed by residents of a four-story condominium complex in Santa Ana, Calif.

Public Citizens
Oct. 4, 2004 - U.S.Businesses File Four Times More Lawsuits Than Private Citizens And Are Sanctioned Much More Often for Frivolous Suits
But Corporate America and Political Allies Bush and Cheney Campaign to Limit Citizens’ Rights to Sue...American businesses file four times as many lawsuits as do individuals represented by trial attorneys, and they are penalized by judges much more often for pursuing frivolous litigation, according to a report issued today by Public Citizen.

Nashville City Paper

Something new, someone blue

By Richard Courtney

…attorney Jean Harrison – A typical case involves a homeowner who has had the house three years or so and has a number of problems with it, but the alleged 'one year warranty' has expired. In actual practice, the one-year warranty has very little to do with a builder's obligation to make repairs.

“…favorite Jean Harrison quote is, "If your house passed codes, it means it got a D -."

10-22-04 - Realty Times - HADD Report: Home Warranty Coverage 'Extremely Limited'
by Broderick Perkins
It's not that home warranties or those who issue them are deceptive. It's all right there in the small print -- disclaimers, exclusions, "weasel" clauses. "New Home Warranties: Deception or Protection?A Consumer’s Perspective"...  Read more

Grassroots Groups Claim Bullock Victory As Their Own
by Broderick Perkins - Realty Times
"A victory for Sandra Bullock brings to an end a long grueling trial that sends a loud message to lawmakers, the home building industry and a message of hope for home buyers of defective homes across the nation," said Jane Ahmad, president of San Antonio, TX-based Home Owners For Better Building (HOBB).

Tremont Homes/Stature Commercial Construction, Inc. has a history of extensive mold contamination in new homes and the new police headquarters in Houston.

Houston Chronicle

Villages grill builder about delays in new police headquarters

Confronting a project six months behind schedule, the Memorial Villages Police Commission is taking steps to terminate its contract with the construction company building a new police headquarters. Read more...

Eonline
Sandra Bullock Wins Estate Debate
by Sarah Hall
…Bullock missed her winning verdict Thursday, having returned to Los Angeles the day before to work on a film. But she did issue a statement thanking the judge and jurors and dedicating her victory to the little guy...I felt firmly committed to see this process through to a just conclusion, no matter what the outcome, especially for all those homeowners who could never afford to come this far," Bullock said. "I want you to know I am in awe of, and humbled by, the great service and enormous sacrifice the members of the jury have made over these last eight weeks over something that was far less important than what is going on in the world today." Her father, John Bullock, who was on hand, told the Austin American-Statesman he was happy with the jury's decision. He said he did not know what would become of his daughter's property.  "She loves the land, it's a beautiful lot...it's her decision now," he said…

REUTERS
Sandra Bullock awarded $7m in home dispute
The star of "Miss Congeniality" and "Speed" testified in the two-month long trial that she had paid $7 million for the 10,000-square-foot (930-sq-meter) house on Lake Austin, but had never lived in it because of construction flaws. Witnesses said the house, which was begun in 1998 and still is not completed, had water damage, a bad roof, wiring problems and holes in the masonry.

PEOPLE magazine
PeopleNews
Sandra Bullock Scores $7 Mil Legal Victory
Thursday Oct 14, 2004 4:00pm EST
By Alicia Dennis
A jury has awarded actress Sandra Bullock nearly $7 million in a long-awaited verdict pitting Bullock against the former architect and builder of her lakefront Austin home.