Homebuyers claim faulty plumbing not disclosed

A local man claims a Beaumont couple sold him a house without revealing its plumbing system defects.

Tony Bunn sued James A. and Carrie E. Aulbaugh in Jefferson County District Court on March 18, saying the Aulbaughs concealed the plumbing problem before selling him the house.

According to the complaint, Bunn bought the house from the Aulbaughs on July 6, 2007. When Bunn bought the house, the Aulbaughs represented that the plumbing had not experienced any defect or malfunction.

The Aulbaughs violated the Deceptive Trade Practices Act by representing the home had characteristics it did not have, by representing the home was of a particular standard it was not and by failing to disclose information concerning the home, the complaint says.

Because of the Aulbaughs false representations, Bunn has suffered out-of-pocket expenses, repair costs and mental anguish, the suit states.

Bunn is seeking unspecified actual, economic and consequential damages, plus damages under the DTPA and insurance code, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney's fees and costs.

Tom N. Kiehnhoff of Reaud, Morgan and Quinn in Beaumont will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B183-566.