Catholic Diocese of Beaumont
Bishop Curtis Guillory of the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont has settled a lawsuit against Rhino Systems International and Mike Quinlan over roof installation at one of Beaumont's Catholic schools.
The Diocese hired and paid Rhino $160,000 to install a new roof on St. Anne's Catholic School.
In 2002, Bishop Guillory says the roof began to leak. Rhino agreed to fix the defect "but have wholly failed to do so."
Dissatisfied with his roof and convinced Rhino used sub par materials, the Diocese filed suit. The suit was filed on March 21, 2005 in the Jefferson County District Court.
The representations Rhino (made about the roof quality) were false, misleading, and deceptive…Guillory relied on these representations to his detriment," the suit said. "In the beginning of June 2002, Guillory began to discover leaks and problems with bubbles and cracks in the product sold to (the church)."
In his suit, the bishop said Rhino's conduct violated the Deceptive Trade Practices- Consumer Protection Act and was also guilty of breach of contract.
Bishop Guillory sued Rhino for mental anguish and economic damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
On Jan. 14, 2007, the bishop and Rhino settled and agreed to a take nothing judgment. The settlement amount was not disclosed.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th Judicial District, presided over the case.
The Diocese was represented by attorney Patrick McGinnis of the Heartfield & McGinnis law firm.
Case No. D174-423