My mother is on Section 8 housing. She is also very sick. Last year, we were looking for an apartment for her. Her lease was almost up at her current residence which was on a second floor. She could no longer manage the stairs. We looked at many places. One time, my Mom went alone to see a place (a mobile home). The woman who showed the place to her, took her to another apartment (a duplex). This apartment was owned by Mesa Realty. This woman explained to my Mom that she really knew nothing about it, but showed the place to her (she had keys) and said she would need to speak with Don Geahlen. My Mom later met with Don and he went over some details with her. My Mom, not able to think clearing, went and bought money orders, and paid Don to "hold the apartment". She also signed papers. Without me present. He told her that he would take the apartment off the market. He never did. I have proof. He also gave her receipts stating that she paid less than she actually did. During this conversation, he also changed the details he had given her the first time about what she was responsible for when renting the apartment. Despite being sick, my mother can remember conversations almost verbatim. He also changed his story on other things as well. Well, his dishonesty made my mother nervous. She no longer wanted to rent from him. We understand him keeping the application fee and the deposit fee, but he also kept $400. He told her (and I) that she could have this back. He told us this repeatedly. He has never given her this $400. My Mom lives on Social Security and this money is a great amount to her. He now refuses to return the money at all. He claims that my sister and I are verbally abusive which is not true. We just asked him to return her money. Also, he wasn't claiming the entire $400 as rent to Section 8. Part of it was "off the books". I can also state that this apartment would have never passed Section 8 inspection. I can provide more details if necessary. He also tried to get sympathy from my mother saying that he has not paid his taxes and has a sick family member. From my dealings with Don, I believe him to be an unethical man. He should be investigated for possibly not reporting all the money he collects from renters. We just want my Mom's $400 returned. He already is keeping the other fees and she never did anything but fill out papers. She has her money order receipts to show the true amounts. He rented the apartment immediately after dealing with my Mom.
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