Eminent Domain Tactic: Continually Dropping Appraised Values

Appraisals that continued to lower the price of land in dispute were deemed “strong arm tactics” designed to force settlement, and were the basis for a pro-land owner ruling by the  Virginia Supreme Court.

The state supreme court  found all the appraisals must be presented to the fact finder to determine value. 

The difference in appraisals: $150,000. The legal fees for the state’s outside counsel: $140,000. 

Virginian Pilot