Milwaukee, WI: (May-23-07) A class action housing fraud lawsuit was filed in Wisconsin state court against Timothy J. Brophy, Jr., alleging that residential tenants who rented properties from him faced uncorrected housing and building code violations. The class action also claimed Brophy failed to disclose violations and that they did not receive security deposits returns, or a written explanation of the reasons why any such amounts were being withheld. The court granted the lawsuit class action status and certified the two classes of persons.
As part of the settlement agreement, the court ordered Brophy to make a cash payment of $300,000 which will be used as the Common Fund to pay, on a pro rata basis, to all class members who submit claim forms as well attorneys' fees and costs associated with the litigation. Furthermore, Brophy must provide new and existing tenants an agreed-upon notice of the tenants' rights under the statutes and administrative code sections under which this lawsuit was instituted. [EARTH TIMES: BUILDING VIOLATIONS]
