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Joy-Anna Duggar’s husband Austin Forsyth going to trial in May for real estate fraud case

COUNTING On star Joy-Anna Duggar’s husband, Austin Forsyth, is going to trial in May for his real estate fraud case, The Sun can exclusively reveal. 

Austin, who flips homes for a living, was sued in October 2019 for fraud and negligence after he was accused of not getting the proper permits for the septic system of a home he renovated and sold. 

Joy-Anna Duggar's husband Austin Forsyth is going to trial in his fraud real estate case
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Joy-Anna Duggar's husband Austin Forsyth is going to trial in his fraud real estate caseCredit: TLC
Austin flips homes for a living
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Austin flips homes for a livingCredit: Instagram

In court papers obtained by The Sun, a jury trial has been set for May 25, 2021. 

The trial is expected to last one day. 

The parties have deadlines on when to submit expert witnesses and witnesses lists, discovery, which is evidence, and more prior to the trial date. 

The two Plaintiffs suing Austin, 27, requested a trial by jury. 

Austin was sued after buyers complained of an 'unmistakable foul odor of human waste emanating from their yard'
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Austin was sued after buyers complained of an 'unmistakable foul odor of human waste emanating from their yard'Credit: TLC

As The Sun previously reported from court papers, shortly after moving into the $140,000 Arkansas home in June 2018, the buyers noticed “an unmistakable foul odor of human waste emanated from their yard.”

The buyers alleged the conditions were “constant and unbearable” and “unsanitary and downright disgusting.”

The buyers also alleged their dog “became ill” from drinking “water” in the yard. 

The Plaintiffs learned the land was unsuitable for the septic system that was installed, they alleged.

They claimed Austin installed a septic system without a proper permit
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They claimed Austin installed a septic system without a proper permitCredit: Instagram / @joy4site

With the current septic system “malfunctioning,” the correct one would be “extremely expensive.”

The court papers claimed Washington County requires that property sold with a septic system must receive a certificate or permit from the Washington County Health Department before the sale.

The documents alleged: “No such certificate or permit was obtained by [Austin], despite the fact that [Austin] guaranteed that all the work was done with proper permits.” 

They claimed Austin “falsely stated that all the necessary permits were obtained for the work done on the home and that it was done according to code.”

Austin responded he was 'not required to obtain a permit'
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Austin responded he was 'not required to obtain a permit'Credit: Instagram

They claimed a new septic tank will cost over $20,000. 

In the  star’s response to the lawsuit, he claimed he was “not required to obtain a permit” and denied their allegations against him regarding the “fraud and negligence.”

He requested the court dismiss the lawsuit. 

Then in February 2020, the buyers of the home , which means to be given compensation for one of the claims. 

Austin's home flipping business has been featured on Counting On
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Austin's home flipping business has been featured on Counting OnCredit: Instagram

Austin responded by asking the court to deny their request for him to pay up. 

An Arkansas judge sided with Austin and denied the buyer’s request for a partial summary judgment on December 18. 

But Austin isn't completely off the hook, as he could be ordered to pay up at trial.

Joy-Anna and Austin are parents to Gideon, 2, and Evelyn, 6 months
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Joy-Anna and Austin are parents to Gideon, 2, and Evelyn, 6 monthsCredit: Instagram

’s husband buys, renovates and sells homes for a living, as he posts photos from his various flips on Instagram. 

His construction career has also been featured on the family's reality show, Counting On. 

Austin and Joy-Anna, 23, are .  

Dad Jim Bob is also in real estate
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Dad Jim Bob is also in real estateCredit: TLC

Austin isn’t the only family member who is involved in real estate, as The Sun previously reported father-in-law  with four homes, three commercial buildings and thirteen plots of land. 

The TLC star works as a real estate agent in addition to appearing on reality TV. 

Their son Justin, 18, also flips homes, as he listed a  on January 18, 2021. 

Duggar Family Tree

How many children and grandchildren do Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have?

  • Jim Bob and Michelle are
  • The couple have nine girls and 10 boys and all of their children have names which begin with the letter J
  • Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace and Josie, were all raised in the family home in Tontitown, Arkansas

 bought the Springdale, Arkansas home on May 18, 2020 for $35,500. 

READ MORE SUN STORIES

The Counting On patriarch then , who is , for $1 on December 8, 2020. 

Jim Bob and Michelle’s sons Joseph and Jeremiah also have their real estate license.

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