Fort Lauderdale Couple Victimized By City Wrecking Ball Scores $182K Jury Award; Say It's Not Enough, File Request For New Trial

In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports:

• The city demolished a family's house in a deal to build them a new one — but then walked away. Now, a jury says the city owes $182,000 for breaking its promise.



• But the lawyer for Andrea and Henry Bonner says that's not enough, given the pain and hardship the Bonners endured. "I'm extremely disappointed," said attorney Scott Leeds of Miami. The Bonners, who now make their home in the Oakland Park warehouse where Henry Bonner runs a business, declined to discuss the case. The city's lawyers also declined comment.

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• After a five-day trial and nearly three hours of deliberation, a jury on Feb. 13 determined the city breached its contract with the Bonners and awarded them $192,000 to buy a new house. The jury then subtracted $10,000 from its award because the Bonners "knowingly made a false statement" about their interest in [a] second property.



• No damages for pain and suffering were awarded by the jury, and Leeds has filed requests for a new trial, damages, court costs and the living expenses the Bonners incurred.

For the details, see Fort Lauderdale wrongly demolished home, owes family $182,000, jury says.