Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Widow sues over damage done to condo
The family of a widow who owns the last standing condo in a development owned by Westgate Resorts, has sued the timeshare giant, the latest twist in a long-running saga over her small vacation home.
The family had no choice, said their lawyer Brent Siegel, who is not related to David Siegel, founder of the Orlando timeshare company.
“It is very unfortunate that these actions by Westgate entities and others on David Siegel’s behalf have forced Mrs. Corredor to file lawsuits to protect her property rights,” the Gainesville lawyer said in an email.
Julieta Mejia de Corredor, 83, and her sons, who live in South Florida, have sparred with the company, which is building an eightstory condo tower on the grounds of the former Sand Lake Village.
The company acquired all of the units in the former condo complex except the one owned by the widow, who refused to sell. Westgate Resorts then began demolishing the units one by one.
But her two-bedroom condo, which has been used for family getaways, a honeymoon and college housing, was damaged by a bulldozer driven by a contractor hired by Westgate to clear the site for the time-share project, once estimated to cost about $24 million.
The lawsuit says Westgate and its holding company, Central Florida Investments Inc., and the bulldozer driver are responsible for the damage.
The family has said the county should halt Westgate’s project.
Westgate accused the family of being greedy, demanding far more than the weathered unit was worth. The family has called Westgate bullies.
Mark Waltrip, Westgate’s chief operating officer, said the company previously offered to rebuild the unit at the same or a new location and provide $50,000 in furnishings. The company also presented the family with an alternative offer of a $150,000 cash buyout.
The widow and her late husband bought the unit about 30 years ago for $154,000 and are current on all local taxes. shudak@orlandosentinel .com