Updating a story MHProNews last posted June 24, 2013 regarding claims of manufactured home sales fraud against JoLeigh Ares’ Park Girl Sales in La Feria, Texas, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ Manufactured Housing Division (MHD) received a total of 228 complaints. Ten of these were referred to the state attorney general’s office as potential deceptive trade practice issues, and 75 were dismissed because evidence was insufficient or the MHD did not have jurisdiction. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid has filed a lawsuit on behalf of over 40 consumers who did not receive their manufactured home, did not receive title to the home or received a home that carried past debt. Although numbers are not available, according to valleymorningstar.com, some cases were resolved with reimbursement from MHD’s Homeowners Recovery Trust Fund. At one time claims against Ares totaled $2.9 million. Violations of deceptive trade practices must be established by the attorney general’s office or a court before payment can be made from the trust fund. Claims that could not be substantiated were disallowed. The case, which began in 2011, continues in state district court.
