GEORGETOWN S.C. – A man and his sister who filed a $15.3 million lawsuit against the City of Georgetown as well as members of City Council and others have lost their appeal to keep the individuals named in the suit.
In 2009, Georgetown residents Willie Singleton and his sister Julia Thomas filed the lawsuit claiming their house was torn down illegally. Named as defendants were members of city council as well as former City Planner Sabrina Morris, former City Administrator Steve Thomas and former planner Steve Stack.
In August 2009 Judge Larry Hyman signed an order removing all individuals from the lawsuit leaving only the City of Georgetown as a defendant.
Singleton and Thomas appealed that decision and, last week, the S.C. Court of Appeals issued a ruling upholding Hyman’s decision.
The suit stems from the April 2007 demolition of a house at 1929 Front St.
The civil complaint says that the actions of city staff and members of council in demolishing the house were "wrongful conduct."
Some of the actions were done "in a grossly negligent, willful and wanton fashion" that Singleton and Thomas lost the house and personal possessions.
The siblings allege they were in the process of seeking permits in the spring of 2007 to have needed repairs done when the city tore the house down, according to their attorney Joseph Henry of Columbia.
He says "without proper notice to plaintiff or the opportunity for a hearing, demolished the premises and removed all contents."
Singleton also said he was denied access to the house before the demolition and was unable to retrieve his possessions or medications.
The Court of Appeals ruling also states the plaintiffs cannot seek punitive damages in the case.
Mayor Jack Scoville said he feels the ruling “clears up a lot of issues” and “hopefully the rest will be resolved quickly.
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
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