TULLAHOMA, Tenn. -
Bobby Parker Jr. and his wife Lee Ann are fighting multiple lawsuits claiming they used intimidation and illegal eviction practices against former tenants.
The Legal Aid Society is representing at least three former tenants of the Parkers.
"A lot of my tenants that have been with us a long time came forward and they encouraged me to say something," Bobby Parker Jr. said.
Parker and his wife own B&B Properties. They own more than 130 properties and have been in business for 10 years.
At the Cozy Corner Living trailer park in Tullahoma two former tenants, Joseph Brockington and Nancy Benton, allege the Parkers shut off their electricity when temperatures were freezing last winter.
According to the couple's lawsuit, in January 2011 the company shut off electricity to their mobile home in sub-freezing temperatures because of a dispute about a utility bill.
The lawsuit alleges their former landlord shut off the electricity three times in three days.
"It was one thing after another," Brockington said in December. "It was harassment, cutting off the power and threatening our neighbors if they offered us help or any kind of shelter."
Brockington and Benton said it was so cold without electricity in the mobile home they were forced to live in their car with their pets.
The Parkers told Nashville's News 2 that the electricity was not shut off because of a disputed bill. In fact, they said the electricity was shut off because of something Brockington did.
"It was due to Mr. Brockington trying to wire in and, what looked liked to us, bypass his electric meter," Parker said. "After a few days of doing this it melted a wire and caused a major electrical problem at the trailer and the power did go out."
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee is representing Brockington and other former tenants of the Parkers.
"B&B Properties is more than welcome to make that argument in court," attorney Salmun Kazerounian said. "but, unfortunately I don't think the evidence we have gathered supports that."
The Parkers are just one set of landlords being sued.
Five tenants in separate civil cases are suing their landlords accusing the property owners of using "bizarre and brutal tactics outside the law to throw people out of their homes."
In each lawsuit the former tenants accuse the landlords of constructive eviction, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment, trespass and violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.
A lawsuit is only one side of a legal argument.
The Parkers are fighting the lawsuits filed against them.
"They should communicate with someone instead of being lawsuit happy," Lee Ann Parker said.
Other tenants at the Cozy Corner Living Trailer Park told Nashville's News 2 that they have never had a problem with the Parkers shutting off utilities.
"She has been exceptionally nice," current tenant Bill Greer said. "If you have a problem she will work with you."
Another tenant said he is currently behind on his utility bill and his electricity is still on.
"I am $100 behind right now," Jeff Eddy said. "They will work with you."
All of the lawsuits against the Parkers filed in December are still pending.
For more information on the lawsuits against the Parkers and other Coffee County landlords click on the previous story below.
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