A Carson City businessman's lawsuit over the pending sale of the old Wal-Mart building apparently has held up the transaction indefinitely.
Jerry Vaccaro of Capital City Liquidators has filed a lawsuit claiming Wal-Mart Realty and real estate broker Mike Giusti conspired with contractor Ron Weddell to break up his deal to purchase the former Wal-Mart store on South Carson Street.
The suit was filed Tuesday in Carson District Court. Vaccaro says he signed an agreement with Wal-Mart Realty on Oct. 9 to buy the South Carson Street building vacated by the chain store when it moved to Douglas County. Giusti brokered the deal.
"Rolland (Ron) Weddell entered into an agreement with the other named defendants to interfere with and frustrate plaintiff's contract with Wal-Mart," the complaint says.
Vaccaro says in the complaint that because of the conspiracy to break up his real estate deal, he has suffered damages in excess of $10,000. The lawsuit asks for damages, plus an order that Wal-Mart sell the property to him, "pursuant to the terms of the original contract."
He also filed notice with the Carson City Recorder's Office that effectively prevents the property from getting a clean slate from a title company, in the event an attempt is made to sell it to someone else.
Vaccaro said he could not comment on specifics of the case. He said those details would come out at trial.
Weddell said he was surprised by the suit.
"I don't have a clue as to why he's suing me," he said. "I think this is just a ruse by him to buy more time and find a partner."
Wal-Mart corporate officials could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The Carson City store closed last year and moved into a new building on Topsy Lane in nearby Douglas County. The move meant some $1 million in tax revenue annually for Douglas County, but proved to be a big loss for Carson City.
Wal-Mart officials moved the store to include more departments including a grocery section, which they could not have at the old location.