Western-Star.com

By Denise G. Callahan

Staff Writer

Now that luxury home builder Bernie Kurlemann has taken one of his companies into bankruptcy court, two Mason residents who sued him for shoddy work will likely only get a fraction of their money.

Mason-based Kurlemann Builders, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in federal court Monday, March 3, claiming $61,907 in assets and $1.85 million in debt. According to court records, at least $1.5 million of the debt is associated with two lawsuits filed in Warren County — most was for the $1.15 million award a jury decided and $281,525 was for Kurlemann's own law firm, Thompson Hine, LLP.

The Warren County auditor's Web site shows that Kurlemann owns millions of dollars worth of property — homes he has or is building — however, each is listed under a different company name.

The Ohio Secretary of State shows that Kurlemann has 16 separate home-building companies.

"It's all in the name," his bankruptcy attorney, Robert A. Goering, said.

Kurlemann could not be reached for comment. His attorney said if the bankruptcy goes through as planned, each creditor would receive a pro rata share of Kurlemann Builders, Inc. assets.

Blackhawk employees remain in limbo

Flex-N-Gate, LLC in Urbana, Ill. produced the only acceptable bid for Blackhawk Automotive Plastics in a bankruptcy auction also held on Monday.

The bankruptcy court in Youngstown is expected to rule on the $16.49 million offer on Wednesday, March 5. It is still unclear whether approximately 700 workers at the Mason plant will lose their jobs through the transaction.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.