Heights resident sues Memorial business over art appraisals

A Heights resident is suing after, he says, he suffered financial damages when a Memorial business inaccurately appraised his art collection.

Heights resident Isaiah Hunt filed a lawsuit on June 8 in Harris County District Court against McKenzie Appraisal Service, of Memorial, alleging negligence, fraud and breach of contract.

Hunt says that on June 3, 2008, he paid the defendant $425 to appraise his art collection, which included Miro-Artist Joan Miro, Miro Bronze, African Art Placque and Tazza-Brass. McKenzie Appraisal Service valued the works at $358,750.

On April 29, 2009, however, Hunt claims he suffered financial damages when McKenzie unexpectedly reimbursed him for the appraisal, stating the appraisal was inaccurate.

Hunt is seeking fair market value of his property, exemplary damages, attorney’s fees and court costs. He is being represented in the case by Houston attorney Tiffany Mooney.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2011-34458.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.