Submitted by Black News.Com
NATIONWIDE — Jason Fauntleroy, an African American man from Butler County, Ohio, is battling the city of Trenton to keep a street he unintentionally purchased at an auction for $5,000, as officials try to reclaim it through eminent domain.
In 2019, Fauntleroy bought a vacant lot at a Butler County Sheriff’s auction, but to his surprise, he also gained ownership of an entire street, including five homes, according to WCPO.
Now, the city of Trenton is claiming ownership of the street, stating that it needs to be turned into a public road. Fauntleroy, however, argues he hasn’t been offered fair compensation.
According to Ohio law, individuals whose properties are taken by eminent domain should receive fair market value, but Fauntleroy says he’s only been offered the amount he paid for the vacant lot, not the entire street.
Fauntleroy said that city officials have ignored his calls. He said, “They shut me out. They blocked my calls. It’s hard to even get through anybody.”
Trenton City Manager Marcos Nichols acknowledged the confusion about how Fauntleroy ended up with the street. He explained that it was originally a private drive maintained by a homeowners’ association. Nichols also stated that the city wants to convert the road into a public street for easier maintenance but declined to comment on how the street’s value was appraised.
Moreover, Fauntleroy is calling for fair treatment, urging the city to “treat people fair; do honest work. Don’t just take advantage of someone because they don’t have the means of getting an attorney.”
