A homebuilding company is being sued over allegations that it forged the signature of a licensed engineer to get permit approvals for projects.
Richard and Vivian Schumacher filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in California on May 13 against Centex Homes and PulteGroup Inc., claiming the plans were prepared by “non-qualified unlicensed personnel.”
Centrex was one of the nation's largest homebuilders between 2001 and 2009, the lawsuit said. The company focused on marketing towards first-time homebuyers, and purchased land that was finished or partially finished lots.
The lawsuit claims Centex didn't disclose that it forged engineer stamps and signatures in order to obtain permit approvals, and also failed to utilize a proper foundation plan that was engineered by a licensed civil engineer.
The lawsuit is seeking class status for those that used Centex to build their homes, and is also seeking more than $5 million in damages plus court costs.
Schumacher is represented by Jerome L. Ringler and Catherine Burke Schmidt of Ringler Schmidt, a law corporation in Santa Monica, Calif.; Thomas A. Kearney and Prescott Littlefield of Kearney Littlefield LLP in Glendale, Calif.; and Alexander Robertson IV and Mark Uyeno of Robertson & Associates, LLP in Westlake Village, Calif.
United States District Court Central District of California case number 5:15-cv-00944.