APRIL 8-14, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 35 ON THE RECORD Federal government files suit against Springfield landlord by SBJ Staff · sbj@sbj.net The federal government has filed suit against a Springfield landlord over allegations that he sexually harassed tenants. Jimmie Bell is accused in the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department of allegedly violating the Fair Housing Act by subjecting multiple female tenants to unwelcome sexual advances and sexual touching, offering to reduce rent or make needed repairs in exchange for sex acts, and initiating eviction proceedings against tenants who refused his advances, according to a news release. “No one should ever be subjected to sexual harassment and degradation simply to keep a roof over their head,” said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in the release. “Sexual harassment in residential settings is uniquely abhorrent because one’s home should be a place of refuge.” Bell has managed more than 100 residential rental properties in the Springfield area, according to the release. The lawsuit names Bell individually and as a trustee of Second Bell Trust, as well as Fourth Bell LLC. Second Bell Trust and Fourth Bell served as the ownership groups for many of the properties Bell managed. Bell’s attorney did not provide a statement to Springfield Business Journal by press time. The federal government’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate individuals harmed by the alleged behavior, a civil penalty and a court order barring the defendant from future discrimination, according to the release. The Justice Department also is asking for individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Bell to contact the agency’s office. Bell last year was charged by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with housing discrimination based on sexual misconduct claims, according to past reporting. HUD referred the matter to the Justice Department after Bell elected to have the claims resolved via civil action, according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Southern Division. • Guaranty Bank to Felecia and Dylan Hill; 422,000; sec. 4, twp. 29, range 22, NW. Guaranty Bank to Michael Wayne Strange 2007 Family Trust; 2,690,000; sec. 11, twp. 28, range 21, NE. Guaranty Bank to Angela M. Slayden; 100,000; L21, Mardena Hills South, third addition. Housing & Urban Development to Elizabeth and Stephen J. Grabeel; 610,500; L49, Stone Meadow, Phase IV. Huntington National Bank to Thomas and Kathleen McFarland; 324,000; L49, Mockingbird Hill, first addition. JP Morgan Chase Bank to Manish Kalmegh; 132,643; L14, Fearnes A R addition. Legacy Bank & Trust Co. to Cottages at Generation Village LP; 10,681,597; L11R, Northbrooke, replat of lots 11-14. LoanDepot.com LLC to Raymond Cenoz; 174,284; L9, Haseltine’s Louis Orchard Park addition. Lower LLC to Dianna L. and Ronald L. Earhart; 233,689; L49, Crown Meadows, Phase VI. Lower LLC to Heaven Leigh Padilla and David Lee Resch; 207,070; L6, Woodland Village, first addition. Members Mortgage Services LLC to Amanda Brooke Bays; 182,337; L7, Northern Heights, second addition. Mid-Missouri Bank to Cameron Bergloff; 130,000; irregular legal. Mid-Missouri Bank to Deborah L., Gary M. and Thomas A. Heffington; 237,500; L13, Marlborough Manor, third addition. Missouri Housing Development Community to Cottages at Generation Village LP; 1,620,000; L11R, Northbrooke, replat of lots 11-14. Movement Mortgage LLC to Elizabeth and Stephen J. Grabeel; 610,500; L49, Stone Meadow, Phase IV. Multipli Credit Union to Mat Rentals LLC; 198,755; L41-42, Beverly Hills, L24, Quiggs, second addition, L29, Switzer’s second, L4-5, Grand View addition. Nationstar Mortgage LLC to Angela K. and Thomas James Stevens; 466,400; sec. 1, twp. 30, range 23, NW. Navy Federal Credit Union to Madison Nicole Siegrist and Nekom Kleepbua; 189,000; L14, Lakeside Manor. Neighbors Bank to Isabelle Jean and Robert Blake Lutgen; 438,903; L72, Marlborough Manor, fifth addition. New American Funding LLC to Michele and Richard Wilkinson; 443,500; L54, Wild Horse, Phase VI. OakStar Bank to Kimberly and Jonathan Williams; 340,000; L18, Woodvale, Phase I. OakStar Bank to Tarah and Matthew Fortner; 162,496; sec. 9, twp. 28, range 24, NW. OakStar Bank to Chayla Stone and Marcus Newton; 116,250; L14, Springday Hills, first addition. OakStar Bank to Doug Sears; 243,000; L25, Bent Tree, Phase I. OakStar Bank to Steven J. and Kelsey D. Henderson; 171,000; L9, Crighton and Kime, second addition. OakStar Bank to Danielle and Andrew Osbourne; 456,000; L20, Hickory Valley, Phase I. OMB Bank to Olya Terry; 112,500; L2, Clover Leaf Heights addition. OMB Bank to Emma Elizabeth and Ben Weinreis; 236,900; sec. 24, twp. 30, range 24, SW. OMB Bank to Cryssany and Alexander English; 271,600; L28, High Meadow East, first addition. Paddio to Tyler Frey and Emily Stolz; 220,675; L96, Olde Savannah, Phase III-B. DEEDS OF TRUST, from page 29 Continued on page 36 NEWS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy