WINFIELD -- A couple is suing a bank after a home they bought had numerous problems preventing them from living there.
Ed Hauldren and Kathy O’Donnell filed a lawsuit Feb. 6 in Putnam Circuit Court against Putnam Bancshares Inc. and Putnam County Bank, citing fraud, violations of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act, negligence and breach of duty good faith.
The lawsuit states bank employees that Hauldren had known for many years approached and encouraged him to buy a bank-owned foreclosed property on Virginia Avenue in Hurricane. Hauldren bought the property without a lengthy investigation because he knew the bank employees and trusted them, the complaint said.
The property had water and flooding problems, which forced the couple to move out, the complaint said. The couple tried on numerous occasions to negotiate a settlement with the bank, but the bank has not attempted to reach a deal, the complaint said.
The couple is seeking compensatory damages caused by the bank, statutory damages under the protection act, punitive damages and all court costs.
They are being represented by Rudolph L. DiTrapano of DiTrapano, Barrett, DiPiero, McGinley & Simmons PLLC. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Joseph Reeder.
Putnam Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-44
