Bernsen
Claiming their new landlord unjustly jacked up its rent from $100 a month to $100,000, Cajun Country Cookers has filed a request for a temporary restraining order.
Cajun Country filed the TRO request against Brittaney Atwood, doing business as Energy Conservation Co., on Jan. 28 in Jefferson County District Court.
In its petition, Cajun Country says that on Jan. 21 it received a letter from Atwood stating that its lease had expired on Dec. 1 and the company would be evicted from the building unless a new lease agreement was reached.
Cajun Country had purchased the building in question, located at 510 Bowie St. in Beaumont, on Dec. 1, 2004, for the purposes of storing around $200,000 of supplies and equipment, according to the lawsuit.
The company paid $100 a month in rent to Union Pacific Railroad for use of the land hosting the building.
However, UPR sold the land to Atwood in August, who claims she now owns the land and the building, court papers say.
"Defendant informed the plaintiff that the monthly rent would be increased from $100 per month to $100,000," the suit states, adding that Atwood has been threating Cajun Country employees who use the building.
Cajun Country maintains it paid $25,000 for the building, court papers say.
The company is asking the court to grant its TRO request and hold an injunction hearing.
Beaumont attorney David Bernsen represents the plaintiff.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D189-276