Articles

PLF successfully defends right to protect property

June 04, 2013 | By PAUL BEARD

After a severe storm destroyed numerous homes on Plum Island (Massachusetts), owners sought permits to rebuild.  The local authorities approved the permits, but the Massachusetts Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) intervened.  DEP imposed two conditions on permits to rebuild:  One condition required waiver of the right to ever build ...

Articles

Continuing the fight in Humboldt County

May 16, 2013 | By JENNIFER THOMPSON

  As reported, PLF represents Humboldt County residents Scott and Lynn Powell in their fight against government extortion.  The County of Humboldt demands that the Powells obtain a building permit to bring some covered porches on their mobile home up to code.  (The prior owner never bothered to get a permit).  But the County won’t &# ...

Articles

Koontz oral argument : armor against government extortion

January 10, 2013 | By CHRISTINA MARTIN

This Tuesday, PLF attorney Paul Beard will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to protect property owners from unfair government demands made during the permitting process. PLF’s client, Coy Koontz, Jr., is fighting a Florida agency’s decision that conditioned issuance of land use permits upon Koontz agreeing to pay for improvements on public l ...