Landlord denies groping allegation

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

An attorney for Chattanooga landlord Colman Hochman filed an answer to a civil lawsuit pending in Hamilton County Circuit Court.

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Sarah Hurst, 31, a tenant in one of Hochman's 30 Chattanooga rental properties, alleged in her Jan. 26 lawsuit that, over the course of 2010, Hochman groped her repeatedly when he collected the rent.

The complaint also alleges that one of Hochman's employees offered Hurst and her boyfriend, Ronald Ragsdale, $4,000 not to report the incidents.

John C. Cavett Jr., Hochman's attorney, filed the answer denying Hurst's allegations on Monday.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Cavett said he couldn't comment further on the case, but that he and his client were, "gearing up to fight" the allegations.

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