A St. Petersburg man is one step closer to getting his house back after he claims it was stolen two years ago.
The state attorney’s office says fake deeds were recorded in county records, showing Johnathan Blue bought three house for $0.
Tony Heh turned to Better Call Behnken in June, after fighting the legal system for two years.
St. Petersburg police arrested the woman who notarized the deeds and she pleaded guilty to fraud, admitting the deeds were fake.
But Heh was told he would have to go after Blue in civil court.
The state attorney’s office reopened its investigation and arrested Blue earlier this month.
On Monday, he appeared in court and asked a judge to lower his $280,000 bond. His request was denied.
Meanwhile, a civil judge ruled in Heh’s favor and issued a writ of possession, giving Heh legal rights to his house again.
Benndrick Watson, who is representing Blue in the civil case, addressed the court:
“This is a guy with very little education, and they’re trying to make it like he’s a mastermind that sold these three houses,” he said.
Watson and criminal defense attorney Bridgette Domingos said their client is innocent.
“I believe there are definitely some issues that need to be discussed in this case,” Domingoes said. “I don’t think it’s as cut and dry as it’s been portrayed to the media.”
Heh was in Seattle, recovering from a stroke, when he says the questionable deed was filed.
Investigators say one of the supposed “sellers” was deceased at the time of the sale, and that house was turned over to Blue’s company, Lifted Real Estate.
