Windy City Rehab proved to be an instant hit, hooking viewers with Victoria's entertaining efforts at giving old homes sharp new style for profit. A Wicker Park couple and a Lincoln Square couple are separately suing Gramenos, Pajazetovic and Eckhardt for alleged fraud related to renovations of their homes, which were featured on the first season of Windy City Rehab., Eckhardt is being sued by Ridge Development Partners over mortgage allegedly due for a Bucktown property, but Ridge said in an April 15 filing it is seeking to have the suit dismissed as all issues have been resolved.. Changing the color of your front door is something so easy to do that . Season 3 of the show is set to release soon and viewers will get to witness the ever-so-glamorous, Alison Victoria, making some real changes to the vintage residences in her very own hometown Chicago. hitType: 'event', A report published in The Chicago Sun-Times revealed that it all started when the upstairs shower leaked gallons of water into the couples kitchen. The episode alternates between scenes of the construction work and scenes of Alison sourcing and purchasing salvaged furniture and decorative components (appropriate to the historical period of the house). In December 2019, Greymark had revenue near $1.5 million, the Chicago Sun-Times revealed; for the same time period in 2020, the company had just $251,565 in revenue. Know All About the lead actor in Netflix's 'Cuties'. Windy City Rehab premiered in January 2019, Daywatch: Mayor runoff begins with mutual attacks, Cactus League report: Cubs unveil their energizing defense and a pair of White Sox head out for the WBC. Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt flipped homes on Season 1 of HGTV's "Windy City Rehab. Do. A judge in Cook County dismissed the lawsuit, according to the outlet, saying it is outside of her jurisdiction as Donovans contract is out of California. " The Chicago Sun Times reported on April 15th, 2022 that Donovan's defamation case was dismissed. However, one day after they closed on the house things went south. 'Windy City Rehab' goes coastal", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Windy_City_Rehab&oldid=1141744351. }); The third lawsuit might have hurt far worse than the other two as it came from Michael Ward Jr. who was a former friend of Donovan. "Windy City Rehab" partners Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt find themselves in legal trouble once again. . HGTV'S reality show Windy City Rehab is back for a second season and things are not going well for Donovan Eckhardt, to say the least. So, what happened to Donovan on Windy City Rehab? The Tribune also notes that Eckhardt's general contractor license was recently expired and has not been renewed. Heres how it works. Here's why he is facing multiple lawsuits. eventAction: 'render' The star of HGTV's "Windy City Rehab," Alison Victoria Gramenos, has sold her Bucktown home for $2.145 million more than a year after it was first listed. Former Windy City Rehab contractor Donovan Eckhardt said he experienced anxiety and depression after being falsely accused of misappropriating money and subjected to social media attacks from fans of the popular HGTV show, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Cook County court. 2530 N. Orchard St. in the Park West neighborhood is photographed on July 5, 2019. Just how much legal drama causes the hosts to split up? Unfortunately for the duo, some of the clients filed a lawsuit against them after noticing flaws in their work. Offers may be subject to change without notice. There's nothing worse than having to face multiple lawsuits for claims of defective and shoddy work when you work in renovation, but both Alison and Donovan have. Renovation of an old home comes with many unexpected construction problems. This forced them to file a lawsuit against the popular duo. Season 2 of the series had all the drama to make the show worth a watch for its audience. : to steal (money or property) despite being entrusted to take care of it The banker embezzled money from his customers. Interior designer Alison Victoria buys and restores historic Chicago homes. A conviction carries a jail sentence of up to one year (a misdemeanor). Windy City Rehab is one of the popular reality TV series. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 'Windy City Rehab' Returns to HGTV With 9 New Episodes By: Caroline Alkire Our favorite Windy City host, Alison Victoria, is back and better than ever. A two-unit house in Lincoln Square is renovated with uncertainty as to the reaction of a potential buyer. The host of "Windy City Rehab" is relisting her Bucktown home after it was briefly part of a legal battle tied to the television show. And since there has been no sign of Donovan in Season 3 so far, it's safe to say that Alison can put all the troubles from Seasons 1 and 2 behind her. Donovans lawsuit stated that he spoke with Alison several times a day and she was intimately involved in the creation of every budget., A post shared by Donovan Eckhardt (@donobro). According to Deadline, the 2nd season of "Windy City Rehab" had a heavy focus on the lawsuits, with Alison Victoria often dropping Donovan Eckhardt's name as the reason for her troubles. While the show was a major hit right out of the gate, it wasn't long after the first season aired that numerous problems with the homes that were renovated by contractor Donovan Eckhardt and designer Alison Victoria came to light. Here's All you need to know about the 'Cuties' actor, A post shared by Windy City Rehab (@windycityrehabchi) on Jan 29, 2020 at 8:51am PST. HGTV has ordered nine additional one-hour episodes for season 2 of the popular home renovation show. I have zero knowledge of the Stratford or Orchard projects. Hosted by designer Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt, the show is now in its second season. Donovan filed a lawsuit against HGTV parent company Discovery and Windy City Rehab producers Big Table Media. What is embezzlement with example? media-tech companies with hubs around the world. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. The show features Alison Victoria, who was previously known for her DIY Network show "Kitchen Crashers." The Chicago Tribune shares that Donovan's suit also claims that statements suggesting Donovan misappropriated, embezzled, or wrongfully derived money from past projects are false. Donovan also says that he was painted as the villain, while Alison was portrayed as the unknowing, innocent victim., A post shared by Donovan Eckhardt (@donobro), Unfortunately for Donovan, it appears that his lawsuit has officially been dismissed. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { }); It was back in January 2021 that Donovan Eckhardt, who was fired from Windy City Rehab in the spring of 2019, filed a lawsuit against Big Table Media (the show's production company) and. The suit states that Chicago contractor Donovan Eckhardt has suffered from depression, sleeplessness, loss of appetite and has undergone counseling for the embarrassing, traumatic and humiliating experience. car mechanic simulator strange noise from engine bay; fire drill announcement script; is government a social institution A buildings department representative told the Tribune last year Greymarks license expired in March 2020 and was not renewed. However, he had failed to deliver to any of these promises. The Morrisseys purchased a luxury home spotlighted on the HGTV show "Windy City Rehab" but now allege a series of problems with the $1.36 million property. Gramenos and Eckhardt ran into trouble with the city in the subsequent months. ga('ads.send', { The duo behind the popular HGTV show owe a pair of suburban Chicago. Fans of the reality show Windy City Rehab were shocked when clients from the show filed multiple lawsuits against its hosts. What evidence is needed for embezzlement? From permit violations to stop-work orders to lawsuits alleging shoddy construction and fraud, the show has garnered plenty of controversy. Both hail from Chicago and had many mutual friends. I Wrecked My House. pg.acq.push(function() { This was because of alleged emotional distress he says he suffered after the show made it look, in Season 2, like "Donovan misappropriated, embezzled or wrongfully derived money from past projects," and showed Alison Victoria as the "unknowing, innocent victim.". Donovan sued the production company for defamation. Hes still based in Chicago and writes in his Instagram bio: Dad, Husband, Son, Brother, Family business man, with a passion for building things. HGTVs Alison Victoria found fame on Kitchen Crashers in 2011. The HGTV series "Windy City Rehab" premiered in 2019 and became an instant hit with home renovation fans. Season 2 of 'Windy City Rehab' Is a Go (Despite Several Lawsuits Against Its Stars), 'Windy City Rehab' Host Alison Victoria Is Our New Favorite HGTV Star, Meet Jasmine Roth, the Star of HGTVs New Show Help! A lawsuit over the home's renovation was filed in April 2020 and dropped in December 2020 after a settlement was reached. According to the counterclaim, Eckhardt had minority ownership interest in 612 West Stratford LLC at certain times in the past. His company, Greymark, was retained as general contractor for the renovation of the Stratford and Orchard buildings. TRD Staff. A onetime friend of the HGTV reality TV shows Donovan Eckhardt says his family put up $3 million based on false claims of flipping expertise and relationships with City Hall. Eckhardt's attorney has already filed an appeal in the hopes of having the decision overturned, but we don't know right now if the plan is to re-file the lawsuit in California should the appeal prove unsuccessful. The city issued a stop-work order in May 2019 for the Orchard location, which was one of 13 properties the Chicago Department of Buildings cited when it temporarily suspended Greymarks general contractor license last year for a slew of alleged violations. }) However, the Morrisseys were not the only unhappy client at the end of Windy City Rehab season one. Alison Victoria's relationship with her business partner Donovan Eckhardt has imploded on season two of Windy City Rehab and on Tuesday's episode, the HGTV star ends things for good. What to eat. Hes in counseling and seeking more than $2 million in damages, the outlet reported. Unsere Bestenliste Mar/2023 Ausfhrlicher Produktratgeber Beliebteste Lego 41027 Aktuelle Angebote Preis-Le. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Watch. Donovans working relationship with Alison (real last name Gramenos) disintegrated during season 2 of HGTVs Windy City Rehab. During the season, Alison complained that Donovan was spending money recklessly and in one instance accused him of stealing money. Alison and Donovan were seen working together once again. Genres Unscripted, Documentary . 3 Donovan Eckhardt from Windy City Rehab has come under fire (seen here with co-star Alison Victoria) Credit: HGTV } (Tracy Swartz/Chicago Tribune). In the episode, which was filmed over a year ago, Victoria does not mention why she is being sued. Instead, the suit is specifically toward Discovery Inc. and Big Table Media, claiming the companies purposely edited the series to make Eckhardt look like a villain. Batman is created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. 16 2022, Published 8:45 p.m. The third lawsuit was also the most severe one, as the Ward family made accusations against Donovan and Alison claiming that the duo had fabricated a fraudulent scheme to misappropriate funds. The Wards had reportedly invested $3 million in projects which were featured on the show. Donovan Eckhardt, a 40-year-old Chicago-based contractor, gained popularity with his appearance in the show 'Windy City Rehab' Season 1, which aired in January 2019. The co-stars of "Windy City Rehab" have encountered numerous difficulties since their show first aired in January 2019. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Victoria and Eckhardt's company bought a Gold Coast condo that was renovated on a Season 2 episode of Windy City Rehab which aired in October 2020, and the suit claims that the loans were. Although the show did relatively well, some of the fans had a bone to pick with the duo for having done a ropey job while renovating some of the residences for their clients. One example of embezzlement would be if a store clerk took money from transactions.In this case, the money would be the property of the business, but the clerk opted to take the money to use for . ", Daywatch: Mayor runoff begins with mutual attacks, Cactus League report: Cubs unveil their energizing defense and a pair of White Sox head out for the WBC. Gramenos is not named in the original lawsuit or the counterclaim. A rushed production schedule under the strain of Big Table Media was also to blame, according to him, for many of the stop-work orders, construction . Unlike many HGTV programs, the projects are all city-based, including town homes and apartments. Windy City Rehab[1] is an American television series on HGTV. Another couple experienced similar issues with their Chicago home and also brought a lawsuit against the Windy City Rehab hosts. }); The judge said Donovan Eckhardts contract with showrunners called for litigation to be handled in California courts. Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 15:45, "Home Renovation Expert Alison Victoria Tackles Major Professional and Personal Challenges in New Season of HGTV's "Windy City Rehab", "Windy City Rehab's Donovan Eckhardt Got Some Bad News In His Lawsuit Against The HGTV Show", "Goodbye Chicago, hello, LA! Judge Patricia O'Brien Sheahan. Windy City Rehab returned for its second season this year and the show has been in the media spotlight following allegations against its star Donovan Eckhardt. By Mitch Dudek Jun 9, 2021, 3:20pm PST Former 'Windy City Rehab' host Donovan Eckhardt drops a zinger in feud with Alison Victoria Pocket Flipboard }); Donovan has made it clear that he believes creative editing was employed to paint him as a villain and a thief, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. An inspector also found that nearly every window had been improperly installed. A second couple, Shane Jones and Samantha Mostaccio whose property was featured on the season 1 episode titled "House of Horrors" alleged negligent construction, according to a complaint filed. Throughout Season 2, both Alison and lead contractor Donovan Eckhardt dealt with multiple lawsuits related to the projects that were featured on Season 1, which caused a fall-out between the former coworkers. We know that Alison and Donovan are no longer working together, and the design expert is now focused on starting fresh in Season 3. The Morrisseys also complained about a leaky roof, poorly installed windows, and a host of other issues with they were facing with luxury home. Greymark hired Space Builders as subcontractor. The co-hosts both lost their ability to apply for work permits in Chicago after a lengthy series of code violations at nearly a . The "luxury" home that they renovated had somehow started falling apart. Windy City Rehab has been a ratings success for HGTV, drawing more than 20 million viewers since its season two premiere. Be the first to review this item 2017 TV-G. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Two contractors from the first season of Windy City Rehab committed fraud by diverting money from other projects to help fund work done on the popular HGTV show, according to a lawsuit filed last week in Cook County court. Copyright 2023 Distractify. A report also mentioned that a former friend of Donovan claimed that he and his family had invested millions of dollars in the projects that featured on the show but later understood that Donovans claim of expertise in building in Chicago was deceit. Donovan filed a lawsuit against HGTV parent company Discovery and Windy City Rehab producers Big Table Media. Greymark and Space Builders were terminated from the Stratford and Orchard projects in August 2019, according to the counterclaim. Eckhardts attorney declined to comment beyond the suit. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Again . Space Builders owned by Ermin Pajazetovic sued Donovan Eckhardt, his Greymark Development Group, 612 West Stratford LLC and Lakeside Bank in December 2019 over $108,500 he says he was owed for work he performed and materials he provided during renovation of 612 W. Stratford Pl. Donovan has around 5.6K followers on IG @donobro. Fire damage adds to the difficulty of renovating a three-unit house. A kitchen Alison Victoria renovated in Season 2 of "Windy City Rehab" (HGTV) I love a fresh coat of paint on a front door. The last home to remain on the market sold Monday for far less than the original asking price. It was back in January 2021 that Donovan Eckhardt, who was fired from Windy City Rehab in the spring of 2019, filed a lawsuit against Big Table Media (the show's production company) and Discovery (HGTV's parent company) for $2.2 million. The "Windy City Rehab" star Alison Victoria is now selling her Chicago home for $2,295,000, People magazine reported. Windy City Rehab Season 2, which premiered in September 2020, followed the breakdown in the relationship between Gramenos and Eckhardt over five episodes. Attorney Telly Stefaneas blamed Eckhardt for the money issues and said there was no overlap between the two renovations and Windy City Rehab projects. These days, it seems that Donovan is determined to move forward. Unlike many HGTV programs, the projects are all city-based, including town homes and apartments. But, having his defamation lawsuit dismissed in Illinois has likely been a big blow for Donovan Eckhardt, who was both looking to recover some of his financial losses brought on by the show and all of the lawsuits, and regain at least some of his good name. Attorneys for HGTVs parent company and Big Table Media did not immediately return a Tribune request for comment. But construction projects don't always go as planned, and a lawsuit filed in Cook County on December 30 alleges that the Windy City Rehab team defrauded James and Anna Morrissey. Weve rounded up our coverage of all the real-life complaints and suits facing the show. Season 2 premiered with those lawsuits front and center clients from previous episodes were suing the team for defective work, with one even noting that a few days after closing, their upstairs bathroom flooded into their kitchen (via Republic World). Obviously, both stars of Windy City Rehab have seen several setbacks when it comes to the show and all of the legal drama surrounding it for the past two years. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Since leaving Windy City Rehab and having his defamation case dismissed, some may wonder where Donovan is today. Renovation of the building is the focus of a lawsuit filed in April 2020 in Cook County court. A post shared by alisonvictoria (@thealisonvictoria). Fraud, the outlet reported in California courts a pair of suburban Chicago known for DIY. Two premiere multiple lawsuits against its hosts issues with their Chicago home also! 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