NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans woman is suing a local redevelopment agency claiming they improperly deemed her home blighted and abandoned and expropriated it from her.
Natasha Gaudin filed suit against New Orleans Redevelopment Authority in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
Gaudin claims she purchased a property located at 536-538 South Tonti Street in New Orleans on Feb. 2, 2004 by act of sale and was given clear title of the property. In 2008 New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) allegedly filed a petition for expropriation by a declaration to take possession of the property.
Gaudin contends contends that NORA alleged her property was abandoned or blighted. However the plaintiff claims the property was neither abandoned nor blighted. NORA also allegedly sent notice to a number of homeowners whose property would be expropriated. However, the plaintiff alleges she did not receive notice of the proceeding and there is no return of service indication that she received a notice.
Gaudin purports on March 28, 2015 NORA sold the property for $130,000 in a NORA-sponsored real estate auction. The plaintiff contends that the taking of her property was an improper purchase of her property.
The plaintiff has asked the court to issue a temporary injunction against the defendant, NORA restraining enjoining and prohibiting it from transferring ownership of the plaintiff’s property.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for all cost of the proceedings and other relief that the court deems just and equitable.
The plaintiff is represented by Michelle D. Craig, Transcendent Legal.
The case has been assigned to Division E Judge Clare Jupiter.
Case no. 2015-3812.