At a hearing on Thursday, Judge Manglona told the parties that she will issue a written decision.
In an order in September 2020, Judge Manglona granted USA Fanter its mechanic’s lien petition in the amount of $2,089,345.28 against IPI.
According to an online legal dictionary, a mechanic’s lien is “a guarantee of payment to builders, contractors, and construction firms…. The lien ensures that [they] are paid before anyone else in the event of a liquidation.”
USA Fanter, through attorney Colin Thompson, said IPI did not pay the full amount due the company under the construction contract for labor and material provided for the improvement of real property.
IPI paid USA Fanter $300,000 only, Thompson said.
“IPI’s breach of the construction contract has resulted in damages to USA Fanter,” he added.
According to the lawsuit, “IPI fell behind on paying invoices from USA Fanter because IPI did not pay the agreed down payment. Despite promises made by IPI to pay, it failed to make payments required under the contract. USA Fanter had no choice but to stop work on the project, terminate the construction contract, and pursue IPI for amounts owed.”
USA Fanter is one of several vendors that have sued IPI for its failure to pay what it owes them.
