PONTIAC, Mich. – A lawsuit was filed against Pontiac’s mayor about the removal of several sinks when she left business offices in a building in the city’s downtown in December.
A breach of contract lawsuit was filed against Deirdre Waterman by 196 Oakland Properties seeking more than $30,000.
Waterman and her late husband originally owned the building at 91 North Saginaw St. and it was there the mayor used to have her ophthalmology practice.
She has leased the space in the Waterman Center building from 196 Oakland Properties for the past seven years.
The complaint reads:
“The defendant…Mayor Waterman… currently owes the sum of $33,595 to the plaintiff for unpaid rent, late fees, court costs… lock changes, trash removal and other property damage beyond normal wear and tear…damage caused to the property in the removal of six missing sinks and their associated countertops and cabinets.”
Kaila Elsasser manages 196 Oakland Properties, and through a spokesperson, released the following statement:
“We are disappointed that the situation with Waterman Center LLC; Center DHW Enterprises and Waterman has come to this after many months of attempting to reach a reasonable resolution.”
Waterman told Local 4 that she has not been served the paperwork and that it is three, not six, sinks in question.
She says the issue stems back to an attempt of the owners to nearly triple her rent after she won the 2013 primary election over the owner’s son who was the incumbent mayor.