Charges against builder dismissed

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, April 19, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

It took 4 1/2 minutes for the state Contractors Board on Tuesday to dismiss charges of faulty construction against Falcon Homes President Fred Ahlstrom.

The dismissal brings to a close a seven-year battle between Falcon Homes and homeowner Russ Lewis, who earlier this month reached a $200,000 settlement of his lawsuit against the builder.

In a small room, where voices barely rose above a whisper, the board members made the motion without discussion or receiving evidence. Deborah Sheltr cast the lone dissenting vote.

There was no audience -- far different from two earlier board hearings where Lewis and his family filled the room to speak of their nightmare with Falcon.

In February the board postponed a disciplinary hearing to allow time for both parties to meet and come up with a resolution. With the settlement of Lewis' suit, Falcon dropped its libel and slander suit it had filed against Lewis over his public criticism of the company.

After the dismissal, board members could be heard saying to both attorneys, "Thanks for getting this thing resolved."

Falcon attorney Brian Terry reminded the board of the "successful" resolution and said, "We feel very strongly Falcon has acted appropriately through this."

Lewis and his family were not allowed under terms of the settlement to attend Tuesday's hearing, and another supporter said he was 'strongly advised' by Lewis' lawyer not to attend the hearing.

The long feud between Lewis and Falcon began when Lewis bought a North Las Vegas home in 1993 and immediately began reporting problems to the company. Dissatisfied with Falcon's response, Lewis posted signs on his property, wrote letters to elected officials and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and filed a complaint with the Nevada Contractors Board.

Diana Sahagun covers North Las Vegas for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2320 or by e-mail at diana@lasvegassun.com