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Attorney General Koster sues Lincoln County developer for violations of Missouri Clean Water Law

 

–Seeks restitution to consumers for cost of converting septic systems–

 

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster today filed suit against a Lincoln County developer for violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and Missouri Clean Water Law.

 

The suit alleges that the developer, Butch Menne, misrepresented to consumers that lots within the Redwood Trails Subdivision in Ralls County were being sold with approved wastewater-treatment systems when, in reality, the systems were not approved. Lots ultimately sold to consumers violated the Missouri Clean Water law by using holding tanks for the waste instead of proper wastewater treatment. Lot owners then were left with the personal cost of replacing the unpermitted tanks with approved septic systems. Meanwhile, the developer charged the consumers to pump and haul the waste from the tanks, when a septic system would have treated wastes on-site.

 

Koster is asking the court to provide restitution to the lot owners for their costs of replacing or converting the unpermitted holding tanks into approved septic systems, as well as the pump-out costs the developer charged to lot owners to empty the holding tanks. He is also seeking an order from the court prohibiting Menne from future sales of the lots and from making similar misrepresentations to other potential consumers.

 

“Property owners shouldn’t be stuck with unnecessary costs and environmental violations when they were promised something else,” Koster said. “My office will pursue developers who shirk their obligations and harm unsuspecting consumers.”