Appeals Court Affirms Contempt Order But Vacates/Remands Punishment for Landlord Who Did Not Make Mold Repairs

ATLANTA - An appeals court affirmed a trial court's contempt finding against a landlord defendant who did not make mold-related repairs to the tenant plaintiff's apartment as required by a consent order, although the appeals court remanded the case for reconsideration of the contempt punishment. H.J. Russell & Co., v. Manuel, No. A03A1444 (Ga. Ct. App., 1st Div.).

Georgia's First Division Court of Appeals stated in its Nov. 21, 2003, opinion, that although the evidence showed the landlord defendant violated a court order by failing to make repairs to his tenant's apartment, the punishment authorized by the trial court exceeded …