During the season, the duo undertook different projects with the most famous one being the renovation of a 4,000-square-foot luxury home in Lincoln Square. 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 . 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. "Windy City Rehab," HGTV's popular show featuring remodels of Chicago homes, feels more like a legal drama these days. },false) 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. What evidence is needed for embezzlement? According to real estate agent. Me, my businesses, my show and my network have nothing to do with them, Gramenos said in an email to the Tribune. According to Cinema Blend, Donovan was not only fired from Windy City Rehab in the spring of 2019, but he also filed a lawsuit against Big Table Media and Discovery the show's production and parent companies for $2.2 million. All seemed well on the surface until the middle of season 2 when Donovan left the show after falling out with Victoria on-screen over their projects finances as per People. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The HGTV series Windy City Rehab sees designer Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt work to flip houses in Chicago, which is something that Victor. 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. But state prison time of 16 months, 2, or 3 years is also possible for felony grand theft. A post shared by Windy City Rehab (@windycityrehabchi) on Sep 22, 2020 at 10:19am PDT, Read |Who is Donovan on Windy City Rehab? By Pretty Honore Jun. ", 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. Here's everything that we know. 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. In December 2019, Greymark had revenue near $1.5 million, the Chicago Sun-Times. Greymarks permit application suspension took effect May 29, 2019, according to building department records. Just how much legal drama causes the hosts to split up? New York, While the first lawsuit had dealt a heavy blow to Alison and Donovan, a second one followed within a few days. a " 2 A FIRST LOOK AT JOSEPH HELLERS FUNNIEST NOVEL SINCE "CATCH-22" WHO ARE WE? A kitchen Alison Victoria renovated in Season 2 of "Windy City Rehab" (HGTV) I love a fresh coat of paint on a front door. car mechanic simulator strange noise from engine bay; fire drill announcement script; is government a social institution Attorney Telly Stefaneas blamed Eckhardt for the money issues and said there was no overlap between the two renovations and Windy City Rehab projects. Season 3 of HGTVs Windy City Rehab has officially begun, and it looks like this season will give designer and home renovator Alison Victoria her redemption arc. As matters got out of hand, the wealthy couple dragged Alison, the shows chief interior designer and her contractor partner Donovan to court, by filing a lawsuit. HGTV representatives announced in February 2019 the network ordered a second season. }) The former reality star's Instagram is filled of photos and videos of him working on renovation projects. While Alison was on designer duty, Donovan handled the logistics. [4] Six episodes were broadcast between September 15, 2020 and October 20, 2020. < 'Windy City Rehab' Lawsuit drama: Here's why the clients filed a lawsuit, A post shared by Windy City Rehab (@windycityrehabchi). 18 Windy City Rehab's Donovan Eckhardt Got Some Bad News In His Lawsuit Against The HGTV Show; . The co-hosts both lost their ability to apply for work permits in Chicago after a lengthy series of code violations at nearly a . eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Find out what happened. in Lakeview is photographed on March 3, 2020. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. 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. An inspector also found that nearly every window had been improperly installed. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Read |Who is Fathia Youssouf? Windy City Rehab [1] is an American television series on HGTV. The pairs ability to file new permit applications and Greymarks general contractor license were temporarily suspended after the buildings department said it identified multiple violations at various work sites. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In his original filing, Eckhardt reported that he'd suffered social media attacks from fans because of his portrayal on the series, and that helped lead to anxiety and depression. Renovation of a house in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. The home at 1700 W. Wabansia Ave. was featured on the first season of the HGTV series "Windy City Rehab." One Chicago couple claimed that the day after they closed on their house (the renovation of which was featured in an episode of Season 1), an upstairs bathroom started leaking gallons of water into the kitchen below it. 'Windy City Rehab' Season 3: Where is former co-host Donovan Eckhardt now. As for "Windy City Rehab," HGTV recently announced they will be filming nine more episodes to conclude Season 2 to premiere at the end of 2021. 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. NY 10036. CHICAGO - Feuding "Windy City Rehab" partners Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt are seeking court-appointed oversight and a financial review of their joint venture because their. Victoria returned to her hometown of Chicago to restore homes for the series, alongside lead contractor Donovan Eckhardt (via HGTV). document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ (Tracy Swartz / Chicago Tribune). The property owners believe that there were deficiencies in the work performed on several Windy City Rehab projects, and that Space (Builders) and Mr. Pajazetovic conspired with Eckhardt and Greymark in a scheme to divert funds from Stratford and Orchard to prop up the high-profile Windy City Rehab projects, the filing reads. Season 2 of the 'Windy City Rehab' saw the duo, Alison and Donovan fighting lawsuits. The "luxury" home that they renovated had somehow started falling apart. Windy City Rehab's Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt (Getty) "Windy City Rehab" partners have landed themselves in court. Thats when Alison discovered that the majority of their renovation budget for an unfinished project hundreds of thousands of dollars had apparently been paid out to Donovans company without her knowledge. However, the Morrisseys were not the only unhappy client at the end of Windy City Rehab season one. Read |Who is Alison on Windy City Rehab? Greymark hired Space Builders as subcontractor. The "Windy City Rehab" star Alison Victoria is now selling her Chicago home for $2,295,000, People magazine reported. 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. The original crossover Batman and Scooby-Doo (created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Joe Ruby, Ken Spears, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera) (DC Comics / Hanna-Barbera / Warner Bros.). Then, yet another lawsuit cropped up when a former friend of Donovans claimed that he (along with his family) had invested millions of dollars in the projects featured on the show, only to find out later that Donovans claims of expertise in building in Chicago were fraudulent. 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.". 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. Many of the houses are more than 100 years old, and some are designated as landmarked buildings, adding challenges to the design and construction work. Donovan filed a lawsuit against HGTV parent company Discovery and Windy City Rehab producers Big Table Media. Powered by. From permit violations to stop-work orders to lawsuits alleging shoddy construction and fraud, the show has garnered plenty of controversy. As per his LinkedIn page, the contactor is still running his own business, Greymark Development Group, which was been operating since 2013. Donovan Eckhardt, one of the co-hosts of the hit HGTV show "Windy City Rehab", alleges the network and the producers sought to create a story for their viewers by making him appear to be the villain in the story of the breakup of his professional relationship with his co-host, Alison Victoria, but Eckhardt alleges they went further than just 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. Alison Victorias attorney argues that the buyers are trying to bully her into settling baseless claims. The original characters like Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Joker, Catwoman, and others. Inside you'll find Pizza parlors Computer dates Concert reviews Dance crazes* Women's Year The campaign game A bicentennial sellout A year in the life of Flush Bizbo A day in the life of a University An NCAA title for Illinois Spoking fun at bicyclists Champaign after dark The Herpes invasion A C-U tennis racket Pulling an All-Niter The Fighting Illini Famous alumns And more. During the season, the lawsuit against the two came to an end, however, Donovon decided to leave the show right in the middle and even file a lawsuit alleging defamation and emotional distress based on his portrayal in the second season of the show. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Our work isnt just business; its a relationship.. Eckhardt said he was painted as the villain, while Gramenos was portrayed as the unknowing, innocent victim.. Man United prepare bid for 'next Matic' as Thiago deal reaches impasse. 'Windy City Rehab' Season 3 will release on Thursday, April 21 at 8 pm. What you need to live your best life now. As the stars of HGTV's Windy City Rehab, Alison Victoria and Donovan Eckhardt spend a lot of time together. 3 Donovan Eckhardt from Windy City Rehab has come under fire (seen here with co-star Alison Victoria) Credit: HGTV (HGTV). hitType: 'event', } When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. However, since filming wrapped, we have learned more about the cases. Please refresh the page and try again. Former 'Windy City Rehab' co-host Donovan Eckhardt, right, is suing HGTV's parent company Discovery Inc. and a production company for defamation over his portrayal before his exit in Season. Embezzlement of property, money, or services, and many enumerated items, worth more than $950 is grand theft. Her attorney, Daniel Lynch, said in a statement that Eckhardt and his companies are not involved as general contractor or in any other construction capacity on any of the projects for Season 2. Gramenos appears to still be working with Pajazetovic. However, as soon as the show ended, many fans were shocked to learn that the duo got into some trouble with their clients soon after the season ended. 'Windy City Rehab' goes coastal", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Windy_City_Rehab&oldid=1141744351. 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. Alison Victoria is an interior designer and host of HGTVs Windy City Rehab. Shes also appeared on both seasons of Rock the Block, Tye Breakers, Windy City Flip, Flipping Across America and on the DIY Networks Kitchen Crashers.. 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 . : to steal (money or property) despite being entrusted to take care of it The banker embezzled money from his customers. Chicago /. Cinema Blend shares that Donovan's attorney, Daniel Hogan, reportedly filed an appeal in the hopes of having that decision overturned. Of Course, That Means The Showrunner Is Getting Asked About Mark Harmon's Gibbs Possibly Returning, Viral TikTok Shows Off Moment JLos Face Filter Fails And Some Of Her Wrinkles Are Exposed. Windy City Rehab has had its share of lawsuits since it first aired. Here's why he is facing multiple lawsuits. This has now caused social media users to question the status of Alison and Donovan's working relationship. Alison Victoria Gramenos and Donovan Eckhardt flipped homes on Season 1 of HGTV's "Windy City Rehab. After purchase and development of a design plan, the duo engage in demolition work, during which unanticipated construction problems frequently emerge which add to the construction cost and schedule. hitType: 'event', Unlike many HGTV programs, the projects are all city-based, including town homes and apartments. Donovan claims he suffered emotional distress at the hands of the show's production team after a long string of lawsuits from unsatisfied homeowners who received renovation work on the show. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. Distractify is a registered trademark. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. However, one day after they closed on the house things went south. There have been a shocking number of lawsuits filed against the former business partners, with Eckhardt filing his own defamation and emotional distress suit against the production company behind Windy City Rehab and HGTV's parent company. In addition to focusing on home renovation projects, the season dealt with the break-up of Alison and Donovan's business over a dispute on contractor expenses. However, it's not yet known if the lawsuit will be re-filed in California. She went on to star in Windy City Rehab in 2019 and she also appears on Rock The Block. While it's clear that Victoria and Eckhardt are no longer friends or business partners, the suit does not mention Victoria by name. Season 2 of Windy City Rehab showed Eckhardt and Alison Victoria's working relationship break down, and did, definitely, play Victoria as a "victim" of his supposedly shady business practices who seemed to only be interested in designing and claimed to know nothing about how he was handling the financials and other aspects of their partnership. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of 'Rock the Block': Twins Leslie and Lyndsay win home revamp challenge, 'Fix My Flip': Page Turner turns cozy lake cabin into a luxury stay. Heres how it works. The first lawsuit alleged shoddy work that led to an upper-floor shower leaking gallons of water, a leaky roof, and poorly installed windows. ? title=Windy_City_Rehab & oldid=1141744351 co-host Donovan Eckhardt Got Some Bad News in His lawsuit Against HGTV company... Are all city-based, including town homes and apartments Got Some Bad News in His lawsuit Against HGTV parent Discovery... 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