Edwardsville man accused of hiding flooding issues in house for sale

A Madison County woman says the man who sold her a house in Edwardsville failed to tell her about flooding problems that allegedly were present before the sale.

Sara D. Albers filed a lawsuit Sept. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court against Bradley P. Wilken.

According to the complaint, Wilken agreed to sell a house in the 900 block of University Drive to Albers on March 2 for $200,000. Within a couple of weeks of closing, Albers alleges the basement of the house flooded. There are also cracks in the basement foundation and sinkholes have developed in the front yard, according to the lawsuit.

Albers contends Wilken knew of the flooding issues prior to the sale and tried to cover up the defects in the basement by covering the cracks with drywall. Wilken allegedly is in the business of buying and flipping houses and was responsible for the repairs done to the house prior to the sale, the suit says.

Wilken is accused of fraud, poor workmanship and of violating the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Albers asks to have the purchase contract rescinded. She also seeks $200,000 in damages plus court costs.

Attorney Sandra J. Tatoian of Edwardsville represents Albers.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-1283.