By Ken Little
Wilmington, NC – Tuesday's dismissal of a lawsuit by the Wilmington Housing Authority against Wilmington City Councilman and engineering consultant Ron Sparks, just as a trial was starting doesn't mean the case is closed.
Housing Authority lawyer Gary Shipman filed another Superior Court lawsuit against Sparks and his engineering firm.
The civil action claims negligence, breach of contract and fraud stemming from a 2005 inspection of the Eastbrook Apartments that led to WHA's purchase of the 32-unit complex.
It was later vacated because of safety issues.
Shipman says the dismissal was requested because Judge Russell Lanier wouldn't allow evidence about mold remediation costs, potentially reducing the $2 million in damages sought by the Wilmington Housing Authority.
The new lawsuit claims Sparks committed fraud by not revealing information about a mold problem at Eastbrook.
Sparks, who wasn't a councilman during the inspection, says he is disappointed by the trial delay and wants to give his side of the story to a judge and jury.
Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@whqr.org.