The former Little Rock apartment complex, Big Country Chateau, has lost a lawsuit filed by the state attorney general’s office due to knowingly renting out apartments that violated city code. The complex closed last year, with Freddie Mac assisting tenants in finding new housing. The lawsuit, filed in 2022 by then-Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, detailed appalling conditions both inside and outside the complex, with numerous violations found by city inspectors.
Tenants reported issues such as mold, mildew, gas leaks, cockroaches, and lack of essential safety features like smoke detectors and air conditioning. Code enforcement found a total of 337 life safety violations and 975 other violations at the complex. The state sought restitution, civil penalties, and other forms of relief against the complex’s owners.
The case finally came to a close with a default judgment in Pulaski County Circuit Court, as no representative from Big Country Chateau appeared in court. Attorney General Tim Griffin emphasized the importance of holding the former owners accountable for their disregard for the law and their tenants. Sylvester Smith, the lawyer for Big Country Chateau, withdrew from the case prior to the judgment.
The state attorney general’s office is now pursuing further action to seek relief and ensure that the former owners are held accountable for their actions against Arkansans. The lawsuit highlights the importance of upholding housing standards and protecting tenants from unsafe and unsanitary living conditions.
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