Couple alleges fraud in home purchase

A Morton Grove couple has sued a Naperville business and its agent, citing fraud in the purchase of a home.

Bradley and Emily Temkin filed a lawsuit April 13 in Cook County Circuit Court against Classic Business Group and its agent, Neil Mehra.

According to court documents, in November 2010, the Temkins bought a home in the 8900 block of  Olcott Ave., Morton Grove, from Classic Business Group for $256,000. The suit says, prior to submitting the purchase contract, Mehra provided them with a residential real property disclosure report, which overlooked flooding or recurring leakage problems, material defects in the basement or foundation, defects in the walls and floors, defects with the plumbing and defects with the sanitary sewer and disposal system.

The lawsuit alleges the company was able to disguise these defects by installing new carpet, wallboards and cabinets, and painting over damage. After experiencing two flooding incidents, the suit says, the homeowners discovered pervasive black mold behind the new wallboards and cabinets and under the new carpeting.

"At one spot, the plaintiffs discovered pencil marks made by the workmen to erect the cabinets drawn right over some of the mold," the lawsuit states.

The Temkins plaintiff seeks damages of more than $100,000, plus costs. They are represented by attorney Martin D. Snyder of the Law Offices of Martin Snyder, of Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-3793.