Another Central Florida Couple Feels Pinch After Alleged Attempt To Unload Home Without Disclosing Known Sinkhole Activity To Unwitting Buyer; Pair Scored $240K Insurance Settlement, But No Evidence Of Subsequent Remediation Work Was Ever Filed Prior To Sale

In Hernando County, Florida, The Tampa Tribune reports:

• A Brooksville couple face mortgage fraud charges after selling their home and failing to notify the buyers about sinkhole activity, deputies said.
  
  Rickey and Frances Shew received a $240,000 settlement from Florida Farm Bureau Insurance after a lawsuit and subsequent investigation in 2010 revealed that sinkhole activity caused structural damage to their home.
  
  In accordance with Florida law, the insurance company filed a document with the Hernando County Clerk confirming the sinkhole activity.
  
  There have been no reports filed with the clerk showing that remediation work was completed at the property, according to a release from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
  
  On Sept. 16, 2010, the Shews paid off their mortgage, records show.
  
  On June 6, the Shews entered into a contract to sell their home for $229,000 but did not disclose the sinkhole activity, according to the release.
  
  The Shrews turned themselves in on Oct. 16.

Source: Brooksville couple charged after failing to disclose sinkhole to home buyers.

For the Hernando County Sheriff Office press release, see Detectives Make Arrest in Mortgage Fraud Case.

See Tampa Jury Slams "Secret Sinkhole" Sellers For Failure To Disclose 21-Foot Drop Underneath Home To Buyers Before Sale for a recent report of another Central Florida couple who were accused (and subsequently convicted) in a federal court for failing to disclose sinkhole activity before a sale.