Fear stalks Florida

A Florida homebuilder is creating a what seems to be a reign of terror through the Sunshine State—by suing customers for breach of contract.

“I’m afraid to talk to my neighbors. I’m afraid to walk my daughter to the bus stop. I’m afraid to talk to you right now,” said one victim who was sued by Mercedes Homes, Inc., after she distributed flyers to neighbors complaining about poor home construction. A clause in the Mercedes contract prohibits owners from publicly disparaging the workmanship.

“I feel like I’m in a police state. I can’t do anything. I have no avenues. I have nowhere to turn,” one homeowner said. The last, at least, is an overstatement, since she was at the moment turning to a TV news reporter and meditating a class action lawsuit.