The Figaro's Housing Nightmare

In 2006 Mike and Patrice Figaro spent most of their savings on a house in South Fulton County. When they arrived to Georgia from California to live in their new home, they were immediately confronted with a nightmare of a home. Their wiring was hazardous, causing hot water heaters, televisions, ovens, and a jacuzzi bathtub to blow out. They had designed the home to be handicap accessible for Patrice, so they had an elevator installed. The elevator promptly failed.

When they investigated these wiring issues they found that the permit for 220V power to their home had never been approved. When looking deeper into the paperwork they found that the building permit for their home had never been notarized, and that the signature on their certificate to occupy was forged (according to the county employee whose signature allegedly graced the certificate).

These issues all stemmed from the builder, John Wieland Homes. Mike and Patrice went to their County Commissioner, Bill Edwards, for support to right the wrongs that had been committed against them. The Commissioner held a meeting with the Figaros, Occupy Our Homes Atlanta members, county employees, and representatives from John Wieland Homes.

At the meeting Commissioner Edwards was very straightforward. He admitted on camera that there were serious issues with evident fraud on the certificate to occupy among other issues Figaros. Commissioner Edwards committed to look for into the case and meet again with more information, he also said that he would be willing to testify in court that there was wrong doing if it come down to it. Since then Edwards has back tracked, refused to meet, and has basically had his staff tell the Figaro’s that if they want more out of the County they can just file a lawsuit.

Why the change of tone? Well we know that John Wieland is the biggest home developer in the state of Georgia, and that come with a lot of power. Power to commit fraud and influence elected official with impunity.

Today we took the fight right to John Wieland’s door step, making it clear that this will not go away until John Wieland Homes does the right thing and return the money they took from the Figaro's.

About a dozen people converged on John Wieland’s corporate offices today around 1pm with signs and leaflets to pass out to folks. We made it clear that we will continue to put pressure on John Wieland Homes until this issue is resolved. The sad truth is that John Wieland is one of the richest people in Atlanta and the Figaro’s lost all of their lifetime wealth purchasing what they thought would be their dream home from John Wieland.   

Please consider signing the Figaro’sonline petition.

John Wieland Homes Get's a Mayday Visit

Today the Figaro family led a letter delegation and picket outside the headquarters for John Wieland Homes, the contractor that built Mike and Patrice's home without proper permits and caused them years of suffering.

Before the street protest outside the office Mike and his sons were joined by ten of us as we walked inside the office and asked to meet with whoever's in charge. During our meeting it was clear that John Wieland's staff was unwilling to take Mike's case seriously.

After the meeting we stood outside the office and passed out leaflets to folks driving by and folks coming in and out of John Wielands office for business.

Here is the letter we delivered:

To John Wieland Homes,

Our names are Mike and Patrice Figaro. In 2006 we paid in full for you to build us a home in Fulton County. After moving into our home we discovered that John Wieland Homes had cut corners getting permits and building our home. There was never a permit approved for the 220V line into the house, the signature on the certificate to occupy was forged, and a sinkhole grew in our yard. As a result of your negligence and lack of accountability, we went through multiple water heaters and electronic appliances. As we tried to have you repair the problems you caused, our home was condemned by nearly every institution aside from the Fulton County government. Because there was no electrical permit, people refused to make repairs. Now we have lost the house to foreclosure after having to take out a line of equity to survive all the pitfalls in the house you built us.

We demand justice. We demand that you fix the problems in the house you fraudulently built, and compensate us for our pain and suffering.

We expect a response by this Friday at 5pm.

Mike and Patrice Figaro