Seminole County property owner faces thousands of dollars in fines

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County is taking more steps to clean up a trashed home in Altamonte Springs.

The property on Academy Drive has been abandoned since its owner died years ago.

Eyewitness News first reported in November how junk had started piling up in the yard.

Code enforcement held a hearing Thursday and decided to impose a lien of $26,000 for two violations on the property. The fines will continue until the mess is cleaned up.

Neighbors told Channel 9's Jeff Levkulich that the property is an eyesore that they have to look at every day.

"I'm not thrilled that it's there. So we are hopefully looking forward to getting it cleaned up soon. But every time it seems like something is going to happen, more things appear,” said Lisa Malverez.

The yard is full of kitchen sinks, an old truck, pots and pans, just to name a few.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News that Aaron Lebeau moved in after the owner, Julia Ivey, passed away several years ago. They said that after her death, the junk started piling up.

Lebeau is in the Orange County Jail on charges of robbery, battery of a 65-year-old, domestic violence and burglary of a dwelling.

Code enforcement voted Wednesday to impose both a $19,000 lien, as well as a $7,600 lien against the property for not being in compliance. A combined fine of $350 a day will continue to rack up.

An attorney for Chase Bank, which is currently in court with Ivey's heirs to foreclose on the property, said they hope to get a judgement to take the property on March 2.

"If our client does become the owner of the property at that time, we would be more than happy to take whatever steps are necessary to achieve compliance,” said Kyle King, Chase Bank attorney.

If the foreclosure is granted by the judge, the home could go up for auction as early as May.

Cox Media Group