Joy-Anna Duggar’s husband Austin Forsyth avoids trial & reaches settlement in real estate fraud case
COUNTING On star Joy-Anna Duggar’s husband, Austin Forsyth, dodged trial and reached a settlement in his real estate fraud case.
Austin, 27, was sued in October 2019 for fraud and negligence after he was accused of not getting the proper permits for the septic system of a home he renovated and sold.
The Sun can exclusively reveal both parties “have reached a settlement” and requested the case be dismissed on May 21, according to court papers.
An Arkansas judge granted the dismissal of the case.
As The Sun previously reported from court papers, shortly after moving into the $140,000 Arkansas home in June 2018, the buyers noticed “an unmistakable foul odor of human waste emanated from their yard.”
The buyers alleged the conditions were “constant and unbearable” and “unsanitary and downright disgusting.”
The buyers also alleged their dog “became ill” from drinking “water” in the yard.
The Plaintiffs learned the land was unsuitable for the septic system that was installed, they alleged.
With the current septic system “malfunctioning,” the correct one would be “extremely expensive.”
The court papers claimed Washington County requires that property sold with a septic system must receive a certificate or permit from the Washington County Health Department before the sale.
The documents alleged: “No such certificate or permit was obtained by [Austin], despite the fact that [Austin] guaranteed that all the work was done with proper permits.”
They claimed Austin “falsely stated that all the necessary permits were obtained for the work done on the home and that it was done according to code.”
They claimed a new septic tank will cost over $20,000.
In the star’s response to the lawsuit, he claimed he was “not required to obtain a permit” and denied their allegations against him regarding the “fraud and negligence.”
He requested the court dismiss the lawsuit.
Then in February 2020, the buyers of the home , which means to be given compensation for one of the claims.
Austin responded by asking the court to deny their request for him to pay up.
An Arkansas judge sided with Austin and denied the buyer’s request for a partial summary judgment on December 18, 2020.
As The Sun previously reported, the parties were .
The homeowners suing ’s husband provided the court with their witness list.
One of the , as he was expected to take the stand and give his testimony at trial.
Other witnesses include the Plaintiffs and experts.
The evidence that was to be presented at trial included the real estate contract between Austin and the homeowners, the septic system evaluation, and more.
Joy-Anna’s husband buys, renovates and sells homes for a living, as he posts photos from his various flips on Instagram.
His construction career has also been featured on the family’s reality show, Counting On.
Austin and Joy-Anna, 23, are .
The court war ending comes as Joy-Anna’s older brother Josh’s legal trouble is just beginning.
Jim Bob and Michelle’s oldest child , 33, was in April.
The arrest is related to the 2019 Homeland Security raid on Josh’s .
In November 2019, Homeland Security conducted an “ongoing federal investigation” at the lot.
According to the indictment, Josh between or about May 14, 2019 and on or about May 16, 2019.
For the second count, Josh “knowingly possessed material that contained images of child pornography,” including “images of minors under the age of 12.”
If convicted, he could receive 20 years in prison with fines up to $250,000 for each count.
Josh at his arraignment.
He was a week after his arrest and is to be on home confinement until his July 2020 trial.
Josh is , who are Jim Bob’s church friends.
He is , including his siblings, nieces and nephews.
He has unlimited access to his six children with his .
The Sun exclusively reported that a at the Reber’s home.
