In suit, tenants complain of mold

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In suit, tenants complain of mold

By Hampel

Of the Post-Dispatch

04/18/2005

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/metroeast/story/CF0

1B58F143A903F86256FE8001ADCEE?OpenDocument

The owners of an apartment complex in Venice are accused in a class-

action suit filed Monday in Madison County Circuit Court of allowing

mold and fungus to grow on their property, posing a health hazard to

residents.

The suit was filed on behalf of lead plaintiffs Kesha Manning and

her two minor children and Claude against BA-2003 Limited

Partnership and Independent Management Services, owners of the

Bissel Apartments, 1300 Klein Avenue.

The suit identifies additional plaintiffs who are " similarly

situated. " It was filed by the Alton law firm of Schrempf, Blaine,

& Darr.

The complaint says mold was on surfaces and airborne at the complex.

The management of the complex declined to comment other than to say

that 77 people reside there.

The suit stipulates that all members of the class are citizens of

Illinois, that no class member is seeking damages in excess of

$75,000 and that the total of all damages does not exceed $5

million.

Those elements would allow the suit to be filed in a state court.

Under a new law enacted in February, class actions involving

defendants from multiple states must be filed in federal courts.