ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The owner of a Robinson Township mobile home park who is facing a civil lawsuit for engaging in unlawful and deceptive business practices is now suing at least one of his former residents, Channel 11 News’ Aaron Martin learned Tuesday.
Martin first reported on the problems at Twin Circles Mobile Home Park last month. Two weeks after that report, Pennsylvania’s attorney general sued the owner, Bill Chen.
Chen is now suing at least one resident for not paying rent. Melissa Dyer no longer lives at the mobile park and said she is only holding out to get the money she’s entitled to.
"I don't know what to do. I don't know what to feel. Well, I know I feel angry. But I just don't know what to do,” Dyer said.
The lawsuit filed against Chen, who owns Twin Circles Mobile Home Park with his wife, alleges violations of the Manufactured Home Community Rights Act and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
The Manufactured Home Community Rights Act requires mobile home park owners to pay between $4,000 and $6,000 to relocate homes upon closure, or at least $2,500 if the home is abandoned.
In July, Martin spoke with residents who said they were being forced out without receiving the compensation due to them. Nearly two dozen residents filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office.
According to the lawsuit, Chen allegedly sent a notice to residents on Oct. 1, 2015, that the park would be closing on April 15 and they were required to leave by March 31. A second notice was allegedly sent on March 21.
It is alleged that both notices failed to mention that Chen is required by law to pay toward the cost of relocation for residents, the Attorney General’s Office said. Many resident left the park unaware of their rights.
"We've always said from the very beginning that whatever the attorney general directs, we'll try our best to comply with,” Chen’s attorney, Gary Kalmeyer, said Tuesday.
While the legal battle continues, residents said they will continue fighting for what they deserve.
"I think they need to throw the book at him because he dodged the law. (He) dodged the law, and he thinks he's above the law. They really need to throw the book at him,” mobile park resident Skip Benish said.
"I'm bound and determined to win it. We deserve our money,” Dyer said.
Cox Media Group
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