The property owners believe that there were deficiencies in the work performed on several Windy City Rehab projects, and that Space (Builders) and Mr. Pajazetovic conspired with Eckhardt and Greymark in a scheme to divert funds from Stratford and Orchard to prop up the high-profile Windy City Rehab projects, the filing reads. [7], Alison Victoria and Donovan Eckhardt along with their companies and contractors were sued for shoddy work in relation to two homes rehabbed on the show.[8]. hitType: 'event', The Morrisseys had recently purchased their perfectly renovated home for $1.36 million. While it's clear that Victoria and Eckhardt are no longer friends or business partners, the suit does not mention Victoria by name. Now the Wildcats need to regain some momentum after a 3rd straight loss. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ The property at 612 W. Stratford Pl. According to the counterclaim, Eckhardt had minority ownership interest in 612 West Stratford LLC at certain times in the past. His company, Greymark, was retained as general contractor for the renovation of the Stratford and Orchard buildings. There's nothing worse than having to face multiple lawsuits for claims of defective and shoddy work when you work in renovation, but both Alison and Donovan have. Greymarks permit application suspension took effect May 29, 2019, according to building department records. Gramenos used a different general contractor for Season 2. Hes in counseling and seeking more than $2 million in damages, the outlet reported. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); That statement refers to a scene in an episode where Alison wonders aloud what Donovan did with the money he was paid for construction services. eventAction: 'click_adunit' According to the Chicago Sun Times, Cook County Judge Patricia OBrien Sheahan dismissed his lawsuit in July 2021, noting that "his contract stated that any legal disputes must be settled in a California court.". In other words, Donovan found himself in quite a bit of legal trouble. Here's All you need to know about the 'Cuties' actor, A post shared by Windy City Rehab (@windycityrehabchi) on Jan 29, 2020 at 8:51am PST. On her part, Alison sued Donovan against HGTV. Greymark hired Space Builders as subcontractor. Again . During the season, the duo undertook different projects with the most famous one being the renovation of a 4,000-square-foot luxury home in Lincoln Square. "Windy City Rehab" partners Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt find themselves in legal trouble once again. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { TV . Yennefer's apprentice, Gilmore Girl; will Vulcan nerve pinch pretty much anyone if prompted with cheeseYes, even Jamie Fraser. Fans of the reality show Windy City Rehab were shocked when clients from the show filed multiple lawsuits against its hosts. During the season, the lawsuit against the two came to an end, however, Donovon decided to leave the show right in the middle and even file a lawsuit alleging defamation and emotional distress based on his portrayal in the second season of the show. Donovans lawsuit filed in California reveals that his business, Greymark Development Group, has taken a big hit. CHICAGO - Feuding "Windy City Rehab" partners Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt are seeking court-appointed oversight and a financial review of their joint venture because their. Do. The HGTV series Windy City Rehab sees designer Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt work to flip houses in Chicago, which is something that Victor. Many of the houses are more than 100 years old, and some are designated as landmarked buildings, adding challenges to the design and construction work. Donovan Eckhardt was Alisons right-hand man on the HGTV show, but hes no longer a cast member. Season 2 of 'Windy City Rehab' Is a Go (Despite Several Lawsuits Against Its Stars), 'Windy City Rehab' Host Alison Victoria Is Our New Favorite HGTV Star, Meet Jasmine Roth, the Star of HGTVs New Show Help! He is the founder of companies like VizCorp, Eckhardt properties, BE custom millwork, and Greymark development group. But construction projects don't always go as planned, and a lawsuit filed in Cook County on December 30 alleges that the Windy City Rehab team defrauded James and Anna Morrissey. Unlike many HGTV programs, the projects are all city-based, including town homes and apartments. (Tracy Swartz/Chicago Tribune). Donovan appeared as a contractor on Windy City Rehab from 2019 to 2020. What you need to live your best life now. The couple brought a lawsuit against Alison and Donovan and they werent the only ones to do so. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { The Morrisseys purchased a luxury home spotlighted on the HGTV show "Windy City Rehab" but now allege a series of problems with the $1.36 million property. The third lawsuit was also the most severe one, as the Ward family made accusations against Donovan and Alison claiming that the duo had fabricated a fraudulent scheme to misappropriate funds. The Wards had reportedly invested $3 million in projects which were featured on the show. Attorney Telly Stefaneas blamed Eckhardt for the money issues and said there was no overlap between the two renovations and Windy City Rehab projects. Score: 5/5 (64 votes) . In addition, they were mentioned in two cases alleging faulty workmanship. Eckhardt in his suit blamed the problems with the city on aggressive filming and production deadlines and said the pace of construction and the unforeseen difficulties of performing renovations of older properties led to a theme of constant crisis management. He said he was paid $3,500 per episode and was required to sign an agreement giving Big Table Media the right to terminate his services for any reason and precluding him from disclosing information about the series until it aired and from issuing press statements about the series without prior consent. Former 'Windy City Rehab' host Donovan Eckhardt drops a zinger in feud with Alison Victoria In an affidavit filed last week, Eckhardt tucked six seemingly pointed words inside a parenthesis. Season 1. There have been a shocking number of lawsuits filed against the former business partners, with Eckhardt filing his own defamation and emotional distress suit against the production company behind Windy City Rehab and HGTV's parent company. Read |Who is Medina El Aidi? Donovan filed a lawsuit against HGTV parent company Discovery and Windy City Rehab producers Big Table Media. The best omakase restaurants in Chicago,Sit back, relax and treat yourself to dinner at an omakase experience in Chicago, where chefs dish out delicious sushi, cocktails and more. While Alison was on designer duty, Donovan handled the logistics. Attorneys for HGTVs parent company and Big Table Media did not immediately return a Tribune request for comment. Donovan claims he suffered emotional distress at the hands of the show's production team after a long string of lawsuits from unsatisfied homeowners who received renovation work on the show. The reality television show stars interior designer Alison Victoria and famous contractor Donovan Eckhardt. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The lawsuit alleging shoddy work on a home in Bucktown says the buyers were just another young family to woo and take advantage of by the shows stars. newsletter here. The report revealed that Donovan Eckhardt had reportedly worked without appropriate permits at 11 different properties. Victoria blamed Eckhardt for these mishaps, something we saw play out at the start of the 2nd season. The jilted couples attorney claimed that Victoria is fraudulently attempting to sell and liquidate whatever equity she has in her personal home and transfer the funds to an LLC she co-owns with her boyfriend.. All seemed well on the surface until the middle of season 2 when Donovan left the show after falling out with Victoria on-screen over their projects finances as per People. HGTV has not announced if Windy City Rehab will return for a third season. The "luxury" home that they renovated had somehow started falling apart. Be the first to review this item 2017 TV-G. While Alison Victoria will continue to star, fans will not see Eckhardt appear in future episodes of the show (via House Beautiful). Donovan Eckhardt, a 40-year-old Chicago-based contractor, gained popularity with his appearance in the show 'Windy City Rehab' Season 1, which aired in January 2019. Victoria returned to her hometown of Chicago to restore homes for the series, alongside lead contractor Donovan Eckhardt (via HGTV). The Tribune also notes that Eckhardt's general contractor license was recently expired and has not been renewed. GET FREAKY WITH US ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK, Screenshot: High Heels High Stakes: Millennial Apartment Must-Haves | HGTV, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip | New Season Official Trailer | Peacock, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m_hWUMVrrd8/hqdefault.jpg. The judge said Donovan Eckhardts contract with showrunners called for litigation to be handled in California courts. In addition to Chicago projects, Alison decided to travel to Los Angeles for work projects. The episode alternates between scenes of the construction work and scenes of Alison sourcing and purchasing salvaged furniture and decorative components (appropriate to the historical period of the house). According to Deadline, the 2nd season of "Windy City Rehab" had a heavy focus on the lawsuits, with Alison Victoria often dropping Donovan Eckhardt's name as the reason for her troubles. Eckhardt said in his suit an executive producer of the show told him the following day that Big Table Media would no longer film with him. Buy HD $2.99. One example of embezzlement would be if a store clerk took money from transactions.In this case, the money would be the property of the business, but the clerk opted to take the money to use for . Her attorney, Daniel Lynch, said in a statement that Eckhardt and his companies are not involved as general contractor or in any other construction capacity on any of the projects for Season 2. Gramenos appears to still be working with Pajazetovic. Alison also appeared to blame Donovan for a lot of the issues. Read on to find out everything about Windy City Rehab lawsuit drama. The property at 612 W. Stratford Pl. 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. A onetime friend of the HGTV reality TV shows Donovan Eckhardt says his family put up $3 million based on false claims of flipping expertise and relationships with City Hall. eventAction: 'view' 'Windy City Rehab' Season 2 is coming to an end but not without some classic reality TV drama. Season 1; Season 2; Season 3 (101) 2017 ALL. UPDATE: A Cook County, Illinois judge has dismissed former Windy CIty Rehab cohost Donovan Eckhardt's defamation claim against the program's showrunners. Hosted by designer Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt, the show is now in its second season. You cant do that and then not explain Its just a TV show because the viewers assume its all real. A lawsuit over the home's renovation was filed in April 2020 and dropped in December 2020 after a settlement was reached. (HGTV). It stars Alison Victoria, an interior designer who does home renovation projects in Chicago, Illinois, with contractor Donovan Eckhardt (season one and the early part of season 2). Season 2 premiered with those lawsuits front and center clients from previous episodes were suing the team for defective work, with one even noting that a few days after closing, their upstairs bathroom flooded into their kitchen (via Republic World). Interior designer Alison Victoria buys and restores historic Chicago homes. The city issued a stop-work order in May 2019 for the Orchard location, which was one of 13 properties the Chicago Department of Buildings cited when it temporarily suspended Greymarks general contractor license last year for a slew of alleged violations. Where did the money go? February 1 50 Brilliant Upcycling Projects From HGTV Stars 51 Photos By: Lauren Oster document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Kristen Stewart Just Tried Out The Sheer Dress Trend, But Did It With Carefully Placed Pockets, See Michael B. Jordan Call Out Reporter (And Former Classmate) During Interview For Allegedly Calling Him Corny, Hayden Panettiere And Family Break Silence After Her Brother Jansen Panettieres Death At 28, NCIS Hits 450 Episodes This Week. A post shared by alisonvictoria (@thealisonvictoria) on Sep 13, 2020 at 4:32pm PDT. One Chicago couple claimed that the day after they closed on their house (the renovation of which was featured in an episode of Season 1), an upstairs bathroom started leaking gallons of water into the kitchen below it. "Windy City Rehab" partners Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt find themselves in legal trouble once again. The pairs ability to file new permit applications and Greymarks general contractor license were temporarily suspended after the buildings department said it identified multiple violations at various work sites. In an email to the Tribune, Pajazetovics attorney denied wrongdoing by Space Builders and any conspiracy between the company and Eckhardt. Windy City Rehab proved to be an instant hit, hooking viewers with Victoria's entertaining efforts at giving old homes sharp new style for profit. [5], On March 28, 2022, a third season was announced. hitType: 'event', This time it came from the homeowners Shane Jones and Samantha Mostaccio, who also filed the lawsuit making similar claims about Donovan's negligent construction. From permit violations to stop-work orders to lawsuits alleging shoddy construction and fraud, the show has garnered plenty of controversy. Fans of Windy City Rehab know what a tough time Alison had with her former business partner Donovan Eckhardt. Hes still based in Chicago and writes in his Instagram bio: Dad, Husband, Son, Brother, Family business man, with a passion for building things. The first lawsuit alleged shoddy work that led to an upper-floor shower leaking gallons of water, a leaky roof, and poorly installed windows. Season 3 of HGTVs Windy City Rehab has officially begun, and it looks like this season will give designer and home renovator Alison Victoria her redemption arc. 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