Hernando County, Florida deputies say a Brooksville couple faces mortgage fraud charges after selling their home and failing to notify the buyers about sinkhole activity.
The Tampa Tribune reports that 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.
Deputies say there have been no reports filed with the clerk showing that remediation work was completed at the property.
The Shews entered into a contract to sell their home for $229,000 but did not disclose the sinkhole activity.
The Shews turned themselves in on Oct. 16.
Topics Florida
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