Park Girl customers to seek TRO

An attorney for 43 customers of La Feria’s Park Girl Mobile Homes is expected to be in court today seeking protection from foreclosure and utility shutoffs, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc., said.

Some customers have been left homeless or in fear of foreclosure, TRLA said.

The customers are asking a judge to grant a temporary restraining order that would also prevent the collection of future payments, Cynthia M. Martinez, TRLA communications director, said.

Park Girl owner Jo Leigh Ares, charged with four counts of felony theft, remains in the Cameron County jail with bond set at $1.2 million, authorities said.

"The customers claim that they entered into agreements with Park Girl Mobile Homes regarding the purchase of mobile homes," TRLA said in a release.

"However, many of the clients never received their home, were never given the title to the property, or were provided with property that carried previous debts, including taxes and mortgage liens."

TRLA claims that "Park Girl" received nearly $390,000 in cash as down payments from the 43 customers.

But TRLA claims as many as 65 customers and at least $590,000 in total down payments may be involved.

Martinez said the customers are asking the court to prevent the collection of future payments, foreclosure and utility shutoffs until their legal concerns are addressed.

Attorney Raul Noriega will be representing these customers today in the 444th state District Court in Brownsville, TRLA said.

Noriega said in the press release that these 43 customers are uncertain and afraid of how the Park Girl Mobile Home controversy will affect them.

"The legal issues go beyond holding people accountable for their actions. There are legal protections available to these victims, too," he said.