New Athens woman claims seller failed to disclose home's mold and flooding problems

A New Athens woman says she was sold a house that was known by its previous owner to have recurring flooding and mold issues.

Donna L'Hote filed a lawsuit March 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Roger Feuhne.

According to the complaint, L'Hote bought the Belsha Street home from Feuhne in March 2011 for $101,000. L'Hote alleges Feuhne filled out the required sellers' disclosure paperwork and stated he was unaware of any flooding or mold problems on the property.

L'Hote, who was sleeping in the finished basement with her granddaughters, says she woke up Easter morning last year to find the floor soaking wet. L'Hote says her son, Michael, took the drywall off the basement walls and found mold growing. L'Hote claims the water and mold has made the house uninhabitable, so she has had to move.

L'Hote alleges a man who rented the house for more than year stopped by and asked if she knew about the flooding problems and the damage to the foundation. He claims Feuhne knew of the issues and patched the crack in the basement wall.

L'Hote accuses Feuhne of consumer fraud and misrepresentation. She says she is unable to use the house which is now allegedly worth only two-thirds of what she paid for it. L'Hote is asking for more than $100,000 in damages plus interest and court fees.

She is represented by attorneys Mark S. Peebles and Donald Hoffmann, of Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-135