Thursday, February 09, 2012

Squatting, Adverse Possession-Claiming Crackpot To Get Boot From '$16 Home'; Can Either Pay $8,900 Bond To Appeal Court Ruling Or Take A Hike: Judge

In Flower Mound, Texas, WFAA-TV Channel 8 reports:
  • Kenneth Robinson felt comfortable laying claim to an abandoned house, but he wasn't comfortable in court. He was a no show Monday in Denton County court, and the bank won its case for eviction. "The court has ruled in the bank's favor. Mr. Robinson has six days to appeal, but he must pay an $8,900 — approximately $8,900 bond — to appeal," said David Orvand, attorney for Bank of America.


  • Bank of America said it took ownership of the house in Flower Mound through a foreclosure sale in January. It says it paid more than $400,000 for the home that Robinson claimed with a $16 affidavit of adverse possession.


  • His original claim set off a frenzy of cases in North Texas. Eight of Robinson's followers were charged with theft or burglary in Tarrant County. Robinson does not face charges, but Tarrant County constables continue their investigation.


  • "Anybody that goes around teaching about this — what we consider to be a crime — in frauding, whether it is a bank or homeowner, it is definitely a concern to us," said Constable Clint Burgess.

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  • In July, Robinson told News 8 foreclosure and eviction were a possibility for all adverse possession claims, but he expected a settlement from the bank for what he called "maintaining the property."

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  • Justice of the Peace J.W. Hand told attorneys for the bank that unless Robinson pays the $8,900 in what amounts to rent, the judge will end Robinson's adverse possession with a final eviction next week.

For more, see Flower Mound squatter avoids hearing, faces eviction.