Hot Rods Owner Trying to Stop Foreclosure Sale

The clock is ticking, but Hot Rods BBQ & Grill owner Rod Gaudin is hoping he can still save his property from a foreclosure auction.

“I will die trying to find someone, somewhere, some court that says this is wrong,” Gaudin said.

The property at 18430 Livingston Ave. was foreclosed upon and will be put up for public auction April 22 — unless Gaudin’s efforts are successful. The business owner is a seeking a temporary injunction on the foreclosure and wants the state to investigate what he says were “fraud and deceit committed on the courts.”

Gaudin maintains a petition at www.signon.org that is to be sent to Gov. Rick Scott.

“We are trying to get some friend and family support in getting the governor to look at it,” he said.

A lien was placed on Gaudin’s property, which he owns with wife, Helen, and later foreclosed upon following a civil lawsuit against the couple concerning unpaid personal loans. The suit was initiated by Helen’s former boss, David Potts.  

"I loaned them money to pay property taxes and their insurance and they didn't pay it back," Potts told Patch last month. "(Gaudin) had a three-day jury trial that he requested and he lost."

Gaudin denies he owes Potts any money. The petition is seeking 500 signatures. There were 463 as of late Thursday morning.

“Governor Scott, please support a 'Temporary Injunction' stopping the Public Sale of Rod and Helen Gaudin's property,” the petition reads. “Also, please order an investigation into the fraud on the Court and on Rod and Helen.”

The sale could also be stopped if the Gaudins come up with about $100,000 to cover the lien and associated fees.

The couple — they had purchased the property from Potts — opened the restaurant 16 years ago. Gaudin said losing the land would mean losing a million-dollar property, a family built business and everything they have worked for.

“We can never recoup this kind of loss,” Gaudin said.

What are your thoughts about the pending foreclosure, Lutz? Do you frequent Hot Rods? Would you be sad to see it go? Tell us in the comments section.

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SEE ALSO

• Hot Rods Gets Extension on Slated Foreclosure Sale
• Hot Rods BBQ & Grill Faces Foreclosure