ROCKVILLE, Md. (CN) - A couple who lost their rental home to foreclosure claim the buyers sent men to the house the next day to force their way in, demand the keys from the tenants' children, who were home alone, and tell the kids to leave, or they would "break the door and change the locks. We will throw all your stuff out."
Alexander Portillo and his wife say David Loring and Jason Greenwald, of Residential Value, intimidated their tenants so badly that the family vacated the property that night, though the defendants "never acquired lawful deed holders status" for the house.
The Portillos say Loring and Greenwald gave the children until that evening to turn over the keys and vacate, then left. Then, the Portillos say, "two Hispanic men" showed up and again demanded that the children hand over the keys.
One of the men told the children, "If you don't give us the keys, I will break the door and change the locks. We will throw all your stuff out," according to the complaint in Montgomery County Court.
When the parents returned home, they took the children and immediately vacated, costing the Portillo 6 months in rent, they say.
The Portillos sued Loring, Greenwald and Residential Value for trespassing, interference with contract, conspiracy and loss of consortium.
They seek $9,900 in compensatory damages for the first three counts, $50,000 in compensatory damages for loss of consortium, and $250,000 in punitive damages for each count.
The Portillos are represented by Jonathan Ai.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.