GALVESTON — Commercial tenants in Galveston claim they were wrongfully evicted from their restaurant rental property.
John Freeman and Hally Mathes doing business as Horny Toads Bar and Grill LLC filed a complaint March 14 in Galveston County District Court against Galveston Four Investments Inc., alleging wrongful eviction and other claims.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, they entered into a commercial lease agreement in April of 2020 for a property located in Galveston. They claim that in June of 2022, Freeman was hospitalized and unable to make the rent payment due to circumstances beyond his control.
The plaintiffs further claim that when Freeman returned to the restaurant on June 9, 2022, the defendant changed the locks and depriving the plaintiffs of the ability to operate their restaurant and bar. They allege that Freeman attempted to contact the defendant on several occasions without response until June 16, 2022, when they were told to pay the rent, a late fee and $200 for lock change.
The plaintiffs claim they submitted payment to the defendant in the amount of $5,500 yet the defendant has failed to provide them with a new key or other means to access their leased property.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of $250,000 or less, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Briscoe Cain of The Law Office of Briscoe Cain PLLC in Deer Park.
Galveston County District Court case number CV-0091355