STURGIS, S.D. – A judge on Friday dismissed a claim against Meade County in connection with sink holes that have led to the evacuation of several homes in the Hideaway Hills subdivision at Black Hawk.
Those sinkholes were tied to an old gypsum mine underneath the subdivision that residents there claim the county knew about when they allowed development on the land to proceed in the early 2000’s.
In court Friday, a judge dismissed the plaintiffs claim against Meade County. Attorney John M. Fitzgerald, representing the residents of Hideaway Hills, says the Friday decision was “unfortunate”, but they have more options and will continue to pursue those against Meade County.
The lawsuit on behalf of 119 homeowners in the subdivision also includes counts against title companies involved in sales of the homes, attorneys for previous owners, and real estate agents who sold the homes. It seeks more than $35,000,000 in compensatory damages, $40,000,000 in exemplary damages, and “such other relief as the court deems equitable.”
