Building Official Under State Investigation

[Guest guest]

Dear All:

This is just the beginning. Look for more in the near future. At least the State has found legal sufficiency for an investigation. However, under Florida Statute 455 all information is confidential until 10 days after a finding of probable case. Unfortunately, probable cause is almost unheard of, so complaints remain permanently confidential. We do have lawmakers who now realize that citizens need protection and revisions to the statute will be forth coming.

Sincerely,

Armstrong - President Florida Chapter

HomeOwners for Better Building (HOBB)

www.hobb.org

Chief inspectors for city and builder under investigation

Sixteen residents are involved in a class action lawsuit against Arvida

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - As the city welcomes a new mayor First Coast News has learned that ville's top man in the Pubic Works Department has come under investigation after people living in an Arvida community say their homes are not up to code. Sixteen residents are involved in a class action lawsuit against Arvida and First Coast News has learned that the state is investigating a complaint filed against ville's Chief Inspector, Tom Goldsbury. In addition to Goldsbury, the former Chief Inspector for Arvida, Lee Arsenault and ville's Manager for Building Inspection, Schock are also under investigation. First Coast News has learned that the several residents initiated the complaint because they experienced problems such as mold and felt that their homes were not built up to state code.Residents say that they felt as though Goldsbury assumed that because private inspectors were working in the neighborhood, that his department wasn't liable. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is now handling the investigation. With the lawsuit pending First Coast News learned that Arivida recently told its homeowners that many of its homes were not built according to Florida Code. When asked about the complaints, Tom Goldsbury, had no comment regarding the investigation saying it was a private matter. The Vice President for the Department of Building and Professional Regulation had no comment as well. Arvida also had no comment.The sixteen homeowners who have filed suit against Arivda are waiting to go to trial.

Created: 7/1/2003 5:07:14 PM

Updated: 7/1/2003 7:20:36 PM