The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that Melisa Robinson is owed $200,000 by the city of Okay after the city’s Public Works Authority illegally dug a sewer line on her property. Despite this ruling, city officials have refused to pay the court-ordered compensation.
The Institute for Justice (IJ) is now supporting Robinson in her continued legal battle to collect the owed money. The issue arose when the city’s Public Works Authority, without permission or prior notice, began construction on Robinson’s property, causing extensive damage. Originally awarded $73,000 in damages, Robinson is now owed $200,000 including interest due to the city’s noncompliance.
City officials argue that the Public Works Authority is a separate trust and, while it may owe Robinson money, the city itself is not responsible for the payment. This argument has been met with criticism from legal experts and advocates for property rights.
IJ Attorney Brian Morris condemned the city’s actions, comparing it to a buyer offering an IOU instead of payment at a house closing. “Constitutional rights aren’t a shell game. Government officials nationwide have to obey the Fifth Amendment, full stop,” Morris stated.
The Fifth Amendment requires the government to provide just compensation when taking private property. In Robinson’s case, the city of Okay dug a sewer line on her property without any legal right or easement, leading to significant property damage.
Robinson successfully sued the city and won at the state Supreme Court, but the city has failed to pay the awarded damages. As a result, Robinson has filed a federal lawsuit to enforce the state court’s judgment. “Okay needs to pay what the Oklahoma Supreme Court says it owes me,” Robinson said. “If the city can do this to me, there’s nothing stopping any government from doing the same thing to others.”
The Institute for Justice pointed out that recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have favored property owners in similar cases involving the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause. The IJ continues to defend property owners nationwide against eminent domain abuses and other forms of government overreach.
This case underscores the importance of upholding constitutional protections for property owners and ensuring that government entities are held accountable for their actions. Robinson, with the support of the IJ, is determined to see that justice is served and that the city of Okay fulfills its legal obligations.
