HARRISBURG - A Pennsylvania-based organization has sued the federal government, a Lebanon-based agency and an Orangeville resident, alleging property rights infringement dating to 2012.
Land Tycoon Inc. of Jim Thorpe filed a lawsuit Dec. 26 against the United States of America, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Kay E. Talanca of Orangeville in the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County for rights to a real property acquired in September 2012.
The federal government removed the case to U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on April 28.
The complaint involves property at 41 Sunny Slope Road in the borough of New Columbus in Luzerne County. The suit says the plaintiff purchased the property in a Sept. 20, 2012, tax claim sale from the Luzerne County Tax Claim.
At the time of sale, the suit states, the land was owned by Kay and Thomas Talanca. Thomas Talanca executed a quitclaim deed in favor of the plaintiff, the suit says, and the USDA has a mortgage of $22,475.17 on the property, which remains unsatisfied.
According to the suit, all defendants received notice of and/or knew of the sale. The plaintiff seeks proof of validity in order to discharge the lien and a court order barring and enjoining the defendants from any claim on the real estate.
Land Tycoon seeks injunctive and declaratory relief, attorney fees and court costs. It is represented by attorney Joseph Terrana of Terrana Law in Kingston.
U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania case number: 1:15-cv-00834
Land Tycoon sues Agriculture Department, others over Luzerne County property
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