M
iami-based Workforce Housing Partners, led by Jason Talbot, has filed a lawsuit against Miami Beach-based Monceau Real Estate and its sibling owners, Adrian, Julien, and Sarah Haccoun, for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit was filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Friday.

    According to court records, Talbot and Monceau each own 5% of a 4.5-acre site near Southwest 212th Street and Southwest 117th Avenue, which is owned by an affiliate of Amsterdam-based global real estate firm NEF. The site is intended for workforce housing development.

    Talbot's complaint alleges that the Haccouns failed to pay him $380,000 by a July 9 closing date as per their buyout agreement, and subsequently sought to dilute his ownership stake when he refused to make more capital contributions. Julien Haccoun, one of the defendants, has denied these allegations, stating that they are completely unfounded.

    The lawsuit also accuses the Haccouns of mismanaging the project by failing to obtain zoning entitlements for the property. In addition, Talbot claims that the Haccouns failed to seek capital contributions from NEF, including its share of payments on a $3.9 million mortgage that partially financed the purchase of the site.

    Furthermore, Talbot alleges that after failing to buy him out in July, Monceau demanded an additional $157,073 capital contribution from him. If he failed to do so, his shares would be diluted.

    In March, Talbot's Workforce Housing Partners sued another NEF affiliate for control of a $110 million planned mixed-use project near the Sweetwater campus of Florida International University. NEF also owns 90% of that 1.3-acre assemblage, while Monceau and Workforce Housing Partners own the remaining interest. However, in October of last year, Workforce Housing Partners bought out Monceau.

    Talbot is seeking $750,000 in damages in this lawsuit. The Haccouns have stated their intention to vigorously defend themselves in court against these allegations.