EDWARDSVILLE — A Madison County rental property owner claims Alton's director of building and zoning is using his official position to harass his tenants and interfere with his rental business due to a personal vendetta.
Jim Bailey filed a complaint Aug. 3 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Terry Buhs.
According to the complaint, Bailey owns several rental properties in Alton where Buhs serves as the director of building and zoning. Bailey alleges in his complaint that Buhs "personally dislikes" him and continues to "harass and interfere" with his rental business and tenants. Bailey claims Buhs uses "his official position to personally inject himself into situations that do not concern him" in order to cause issues for Bailey.
Bailey alleges that on June 27, he discovered that Buhs told one of his tenants who had already signed a lease that she would have to find another rental property because he would not pass inspection of the home. According to Bailey's complaint, the property had already lawfully passed inspection. Bailey claims the tenant has breached her lease contract and refuses to pay rent due to the defendant's alleged actions and failure to issue an occupancy permit.
Bailey also claims Buhs "openly carries a pistol on his hip" so he can intimidate and harass his tenants.
Bailey seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, plus all other just relief. He is represented by Thomas Maag of Wood River.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-1090