A $620 property tax debt cost him his house. Ohio’s Supreme Court will decide if the county owes him
The homeowners say the county kept surplus home value after tax foreclosures, and the justices will review whether that amounts to an unconstitutional taking.
- On Tuesday, The Ohio Supreme Court agreed to take up a challenge against Cuyahoga County regarding property tax seizures, potentially determining whether the government owes homeowners compensation for seized properties worth more than their debts.
- State law permits Cuyahoga County to foreclose on tax-delinquent properties, but homeowners allege the county unconstitutionally retains "surplus equity" when property value exceeds tax debt, violating the Takings Clause and Excessive Fines Clause of the Ohio Constitution.
- Plaintiffs including Angela Taylor, Abraham David, and Craig claim the county seized homes in Cleveland and Shaker Heights over debts as low as $620, yet failed to compensate them for equity beyond the tax amounts owed.
- After losing in the Cuyahoga County Court and the Eighth District Court of Appeals, the homeowners are leading a class action lawsuit asserting the practice violates the Ohio Constitution.
- Plaintiffs allege the county has seized "thousands" of homes similarly, though county spokesperson Jennifer Ciaccia declined to comment on pending litigation or provide data on the county's home forfeiture practices.
18 Articles
18 Articles
A $620 property tax debt cost him his house. Ohio’s Supreme Court will decide if the county owes him.
After Angelo Craig failed to pay his $620 property tax bill, Cuyahoga County officials began the legal process of seizing his house. The same was true when Angela Taylor owed $4,655 against her house in Shaker Heights, and Abraham David’s $3,384 debt in Cleveland, court records show. The county eventually won title to all three homes via legal actions in county court. The three homeowners are now leading a class action lawsuit against the coun…
Associated Press News
A $620 property tax debt cost him his house. Ohio’s Supreme Court will decide if the county owes him
After Angelo Craig failed to pay his $620 property tax bill, Cuyahoga County officials began the legal process of seizing his house.
Ohio Supreme Court to hear $620 property tax foreclosure case
After Angelo Craig failed to pay his $620 property tax bill, Cuyahoga County officials began the legal process of seizing his house. The same was true when Angela Taylor owed $4,655 against her house in Shaker Heights, and Abraham David’s $3,384 debt in Cleveland, court records show. The county eventually won title to all three homes via legal actions in county court. The three homeowners are now leading a class action lawsuit against the coun…
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