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Tuesday, 12 June 2012

FBI asked to "evaluate" neighborhood complaints
The FBI could soon be getting involved by looking at problems in two different neighborhoods. People in the Fairhaven neighborhood in Schertz have complained about alleged faulty foundations and in the Stablewood Farms neighborhood, people have complained about sink holes and cracks in their homes.

FBI asked to "evaluate" neighborhood complaints

By Lauren Lea

SAN ANTONIO- The FBI could soon be getting involved by looking at problems in two different neighborhoods. People in the Fairhaven neighborhood in Schertz have complained about alleged faulty foundations and in the Stablewood Farms neighborhood, people have complained about sink holes and cracks in their homes.

News 4 WOAI obtained a copy of a letter that was hand-delivered from Assistant U.S Attorney Bud Paulissen to the FBI. The letter, dated June 7, asks for the FBI to evaluate neighbors' complaints that their home builders "defrauded federal agencies." The complainants allege "that the land was know [sic] to the builders to be unsuitable at the time of the certifications." Paulissen also asks Special Agent Ozzie Alaniz to contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General to see if they will "participate in this inquiry."

An FBI spokesperson would not comment on the letter and would not confirm or deny the existence of any investigation.

A spokesperson for Fairhaven home builder Pulte Homes said:
"Pulte has not been contacted by either of these agencies, nor are we aware of any inquiry. Pulte has already completed repairs on several of the homes in the community and continues to resolve the remaining issues at Fairhaven."

A spokesperson for Stablewood Farms home builder D.R. Horton said:
"We have not seen the referenced letter, so we cannot comment specifically on it; however, D.R. Horton purchased the finished lots in Stablewood Farms from a developer over a decade after the waste water treatment plant closed. It is documented in the closing reports furnished by the developer...In response to questions in the summer of 2011 from a few concerned homeowners, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency initiated investigations. D.R. Horton assisted in those investigations by providing information we obtained from the developer and the owner of the treatment plant. Based on the investigation, both the TCEQ and the EPA advised D.R. Horton last year that they had closed their files on this matter with no recommendations or suggestions for any changes or
remediation."
 http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/FBI-asked-to-evaluate-neighborhood-complaints/OnIDcSI98UWSyfniJRIVzQ.cspx

Comments 21

HollyHoly - 6/13/2012 12:05 PM

0 Votes
Report User @pump, yes you were working in a nice closed building not out in the 100 degree heat day after day after day and on weekends and holidays. So I still stand by my assesment that Americans will not do this type of work.
PEretired - 6/13/2012 10:57 AM
0 Votes
Report User The crack in the slab and woman in the video say it all. Madam, I feel sorry for you; but, don’t feel bad—I have a civil engineering degree, and worked for more than 40 years in construction before I retired. I was a licensed professional engineer in 8 states and the District of Columbia. I, too, made the same mistake of entering into a contract with Pulte Homes to build me a house. More on that later. Pulte says that they’re “fixing” houses in Fairhaven. How are they going to “fix” the crack in your slab? The fact is that they can’t. It’s like Humpty Dumpty—“all the king’s horses, and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again”. Once unreinforced concrete cracks, like your slab did, there’s no “fixing” it. Build a house on a broken foundation, and you’ve got a broken house—forever. Back to my story. My buddy and I both signed contracts with Pulte to build us houses. When I was in my buddy’s attic one day I saw valley trusses that I could have kicked off the main roof trusses. (This is in a coastal area where the building code requires that houses be capable of withstanding a 130 mph wind.) Needless to say, I was alarmed. Came to find out that Pulte had decided to substitute (2) nails for hurricane clips. The problem was, among other things, that most of the connections in my buddy’s house had either one nail or no nails. In the few that had two nails, many were driven in split wood. Others missed their target completely. Others were shorter than the specs called for. When I entered into a contract with Pulte Homes to build my house, I expected them to build it to the normal standard of care. They didn’t. As a result, I am the victim of fraud, just like you are. In fact, MANY people have been defrauded by Pulte Homes. The problem is that they don't speak out publicly about the problem. As a result, how are unsuspecting folks (like us) supposed to know? I hope that the FBI nails Pulte Homes (excuse the pun).
Jim3741 - 6/13/2012 4:46 AM
0 Votes
Report User This is what happens when you build houses on top of "Fill". Valley Forge has a lot of these foundation problems, those are old Ray Ellison homes. Most of the homes with foundation problems use Torsion foundations, this was a new method back when Valley Forge was built. The problem in these subdivisions in this story is most of them were built up using Fill dirt and waste. I remember driving past those areas and the signs "Fill dirt Wanted". They use it to level the area then throw 4 to 6 inches of clean dirt on it to finish it off before they put out the Grass Pallets. The problem with this process is that it shifts over time because a few months of going over it with a roller, if that is used, doesn't really compact it properly to stand up over time. Never buy a home that is built on top of "Fill" the foundation will eventually fail or shift and then your in for more problems.
Guest - 6/13/2012 1:05 AM
1 Vote
Report User my 2 cents, I am an American and not fat and lazy, I tried construction work years ago as a young adult, only to learn they rip off construction workers as much as they rip off clients. They promise to pay the workers but find ways to charge fees, they would say all the work you did the previous day mysteriously fell apart and in the middle of the night they had to go back and fix the damages which comes out of your paycheck (totally lying obviously). Americans will do the work but need honest pay for honest work. I suspect a lot of the cheap seasonal labor from Mexico is probably getting lied to all the time as well but feel they can't report it or don't know how because they don't speak English.
PEretired - 6/12/2012 5:29 PM
1 Vote
Report User @1pumpchump who was watching when you were painting those cars? the company? Federal government inspectors? others? all of the above? who was checking the work when Pulte was building houses at Fairhaven? Pulte? no. Federal government inspectors? no. state (Texas) inspectors? no. Schertz inspectors? maybe; but, they apparently don't know foundation problems when they're right there in front of them. And, we're not talking about a finish coat of paint--we're talking foundations. It's like putting retreads on a new car and passing them off as new onto unsuspecting purchasers. And, now Schertz's mayor and council is saying that they don't have any responsiblity--it's all on the homeowners--"caveat emptor" ("let the buyer beware"). You're right, 1pumpchump, residential construction is a dirty business (excuse the pun), and it's ordinary citizens who are getting screwed. Why? because nobody's minding the store.
210bro - 6/12/2012 5:24 PM
0 Votes
Report User ahhhh, join the club shertz. everyone has foundation problems in this part of texas. you're just looking for a scapegoat to cover your losses. those houses went up during the housing bubble, and now that it's popped you want $$$. Too bad, so sad, you been had. In the mean time you need to pay your property tax for all those shiny new schools.
1pumpchump - 6/12/2012 4:18 PM
2 Votes
Report User Look, all builders put the cheapest crap in new homes, charge the most money, & screw the homeowners. They've already spent the money. Good luck gettin it back. Construction is a dirty business, & I ain't talking about sawdust. & Miss HollyHoly, I spent 7 years painting cars on an Auto Assembly line. Ford, GM, Toyota. Painted 58 1/2 cars an hour by hand. Yeah, Americans will do it, but they ain't going to be pimped out by Obamma, Madoff, or any other crook.
PEretired - 6/12/2012 3:33 PM
0 Votes
Report User @1pumpchump are you saying that Pulte isn't responsible? Pulte hires the subcontractors and it's Pulte's name on the sales contract. It's Pulte's. Do you think that Mercedes checks their subs' work? You bet they do--because it's Mercedes' name that's on the car--and Mercedes cares about what they put their name on. Pulte doesn't check their subs' work. That's why Pulte houses are falling apart.
HollyHoly - 6/12/2012 3:21 PM
2 Votes
Report User @Chump, respectable wage, do you really believe the Americans will do this type of work for a respectable wage? If you do then I have ocean front property in Iowa you can buy....comprende!
1pumpchump - 6/12/2012 3:07 PM
2 Votes
Report User @ HollyHoly, how many years have you spent in the construction business? Yeah, that's what I thought. I never said that Mexican Labor was bad. Most are outstanding at what they do. However, as long as they do it for next to nothing, it brings the entire industry down. They bust their butts & still go home broke. The only one laughing all the way to the bank is the contractor. If they demand a respectable wage, then everyone get's a respectable wage. Comprende?

HollyHoly - 6/12/2012 2:48 PM
2 Votes
Report User @pumpchump. these so called Mexican cheap laborers, are doing jobs Fat lazy Americans refuse to.
1pumpchump - 6/12/2012 1:37 PM
1 Vote
Report User It's a known fact that San Antonio construction is barely above 3rd world country standards. But hey, ya get what the builders don't pay for. Cheap Mexican labor. The only thing white in a new subdivision is the toilets. The only thing black is the streets. If you're not willing to work for less than 1/2% of the total cost of the home, you're not working in this town. In all fairness, Pulte doesn't hire the workers, that's the Fat Cat contractors who won't pay skilled labor a decent wage. I've installed Cabinets in David Weekly homes. They skin Thermafoil (partical board) cabinets with 1/8" wood on exposed ends, & charge the buyer for wood cabinets. It's disgusting, maybe illegal? Oh, & they want the installer to pay for all screws, nails, adhesive, ect. Basically, you're giving them a free install a week. I retired my tools. Won't put em in the truck at these wages.
Storming mad - 6/12/2012 11:53 AM
0 Votes
Report User Pulte built substandard homes and falsified a federal document!! They need to be held accountable, I hope they are punished severely!!!
Steve - 6/12/2012 11:51 AM
0 Votes
Report User It's about time someone looked into the practices of the homebuilders. This behavior is just an extention of the home mortgage fraud perpetrated by the banks. Let justice be served!!
soxin8 - 6/12/2012 10:16 AM
0 Votes
Report User Asking the FBI to solve a problem is a problem in itself. To read what I mean search for "New police weapon against homeless" and also "Historic coverup of FBI and police crimes currently taking place". Bill Anderson This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Born Again - 6/12/2012 9:44 AM
3 Votes
Report User Now, sensing dischord, the devilish Federal Government in God forsaken Washington, D.C. seeks to insert it's long and ugly nose into the affairs of Christians. They like to find situations such as this and then come charging in, pretending to be the Lone Ranger. They are here, they say, to protect the innocent and promote truth, justice and the American way. Later, they take off their mask and we see it is the shiny red Devil himself. Everyone is made to pay, while the Attorney General, who is in charge, pretends to be Reverend Ike, come down to save us. Schertz is dangerously close to Converse, which is the Devil's center of operations for this area. Now that he has been kicked out of New Braunfels, Satan will be looking for a base to the north. Schertz is perfect for him, thus the arrival of his thralls, the Federals. Let any Christians remaining in the area beware. These Federals are down here looking for some souls to steal. Don't let them catch you. The curse of the Yankees is upon us. Pray God for a host of angels to deliver us from them.
jstormy - 6/12/2012 9:32 AM
0 Votes
Report User Justice needs to be served! Homebuilders are getting away with grand larceny and fraud by building substandard housing. Homeowner are enduring undue stress and emotional abuse by homebuilders. Homeowners invest their hard earned dollars expecting a quality home and get stuck with rubble! Broken foundations can NOT be fixed!! TX laws need to reflect accountability and a Home Lemon Law needs exacting!!
bigdfrombigd - 6/12/2012 9:31 AM
0 Votes
Report User Shame on Pulte. They cheated people by taking shortcuts. They need to be held accountable. If it turns out that they lied on the HUD forms they should be prosecuted as well.
Justsayin2012 - 6/12/2012 8:52 AM
0 Votes
Report User Band Aid repairs by the builder does not fix the problems. The question they should ask themselves is "How can we repair a broken foundation"? It's like trying to put icing over a cake that fell, or using a ceramic dish that has been glued back together. The fact is that you cannot fix a broken foundation!!!! And as for the Stablewood Subdivision....It's a stinky situation. The builders can say that they mitigated land before building, but Liar,Liar, pants on fire! How about this: Buy those houses back so that those that really desire to move on,can. In the meantime, the builders need to be held accountable for their actions!!!
Cameron - 6/11/2012 10:38 PM
1 Vote
Report User very sad the local inspectors are paid off to pass anything and that it would go so far. I would go as far to say let the inspectors have their licenses revoked for life to send a message. Im not an expert on foundational issues but I do know all is takes is a master electrician or master plumber to sign off on those issues. and their is no college, a master anything means 20 years of experience unless you choose to go to school to get it quiker. just an fyi folks.

 
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