Landlord sues Edwardsville sporting goods store over unpaid lease payments

A landlord claims its Edwardsville tenant has failed to pay rent since March of 2009, leaving it with losses of more than $80,000.

R.L.P. Development Company filed a lawsuit May 12 in Madison County Circuit Court against Gaffney Sporting Goods.

In its complaint, R.L.P. claims it entered into a lease with Gaffney on March 5, 2008. Under the terms of the lease, Gaffney agreed to pay $2,833.33 for the first two years of the lease and $2,916.66 for the third year, according to the complaint.

R.L.P., however, failed to receive any payment after March 10, 2009, despite R.L.P.'s repeated demands, the suit states.

"There is currently due and owing by Defendant to R.L.P., after all just credits, allowances, deductions and set-offs, the sum of $81,499.96 in unpaid rent and tenant charges," the complaint says.

In addition to the money it says it is owed, R.L.P. seeks attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

John A. Ess of Edwardsville will be representing it.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-455.