EMS company sued for failing to pay rent

Southeast Texas Emergency Medical Services owes more than $37,000 and thousands of dollars in overdue rent payments on a building it utilized as an office facility and storage yard, according to recently filed court documents.

MSV Family Ltd. Partnership filed a lawsuit Feb. 9 in Jefferson County District Court against Southeast Texas EMS.

MSV claims Southeast Texas EMS agreed to lease a property at 5055 Bragg Circle in Beaumont for one year at a rate of $882 per month beginning on Dec. 20, 2008, and ending on Dec. 19, 2009.

While renting the property, Southeast agreed to maintain insurance on it in the amount of $10,000, but failed to do so, according to the complaint. As a result, when Hurricane Ike struck in September 2008, the buildings that sustained significant damages were not repaired and continued to deteriorate, the suit states.

Now, MSV faces repair costs of more than $37,000, the complaint says.

In addition, Southeast did not vacate the property on its agreed-upon exit date of Dec. 19, 2009, and instead stayed until Dec. 21, MSV claims. In its lease, Southeast agreed to pay $1,000 per month if it did not surrender the premises to MSV by the lease's expiration date, according to the complaint. However, it has failed to pay an unspecified number of rental payments to MSV, the suit states.

"Due to the poor condition of the property upon Defendant's abandonment, Plaintiff is currently unable to lease the property to another tenant," the complaint says. "Until all necessary repairs are performed, Plaintiff will be unable to market and/or rent the premises."

In addition to the money it says Southeast owes it, MSV seeks attorney's fees, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

Gordon Friesz of McPherson, Hughes, Bradley, Wimberley, Steele and Chatelain in Port Arthur will be representing it.

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

Case No. B189-339