ST. LOUIS — A business owner is suing the city of Jennings and city employees citing alleged wrongful eviction.
Glen Ozenkoski filed a complaint on May 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division against the city of Jennings; Francine Dugger, Jennings mayor pro-tem; Kimberly Smith, Jennings director of Housing and Economic Development; and Rise' Johnson, Jennings finance director, alleging that they failed their duty as municipal officers and continued unlawful practices of seizing property without due process and denying residents the right to their property.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in October 2016, his business, O.Z. Line-A-Bed and Property, was padlocked, which deprived him to access and use the premises. The building was padlocked due to the plaintiff's alleged failure to pay Missouri sales taxes. Ozenkoski claims he was told to produce the zero-balance letter immediately but was unable to, resulting in seizure of his property.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly failed to provide adequate notice before seizing the business property, failed to provide the plaintiff an opportunity to present evidence and failed to provide the plaintiff information regarding the claims to seize his property.
The plaintiff seeks an award of compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $75,000 plus costs, expenses, attorney's fees, and any further relief that the court deems just or equitable. He is represented by Christopher B. Bent and Nashad Omar Carrington of Law Offices of Christopher Bent in St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division Case number 4:17-cv-01414