A group of senior citizens are suing Beaumont Health.
They live in the Botsford Commons Condominiums in Farmington Hills . Beaumont’s subsidiaries are supposed to be responsible for the condo property.
The lawsuit was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court in November 2017. Residents held a press conference to raise awareness about it Friday. The suit claims that for 20-years residents have been victims of price-gouging and fraud which constitute a pattern of racketeering under the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
“When you look at the abuses that have occurred over 20 years it is difficult to come to any conclusion other than they knew what they were doing,” said Robert Meisner, attorney for residents.
He says residents are paying $460 per month in association fees. He says other Bostford properties nearby should contribute more. He says the property is not well maintained. Deck boards are replaced, then never painted to match. The asphalt is not regularly re-coated. An embankment that is crumbling next to homes is being ignored.
The problem is behind homes that line the Rouge River. Erosion has in places caused their back yards to sink six to eight feet. The people who live in the homes along the river worry about the safety of their homes.
“I think there is a danger when the velocity of the water is so strong,” said Virginia Halley, a resident.
Beaumont Health released a statement saying it denies wrongdoing:
“We value the residents of the Botsford Commons Senior Community and work with them to create a safe environment,” said a statement from Margaret Lightner, the President of Botsford Continuing Care Corporation. “We are working with the property owners and condo owners to meet the needs of the property and will continue to do so.“
