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REFINED VICES • Kentucky distilleries sued for ‘whiskey fungus’ damage
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Kentucky distilleries sued for ‘whiskey fungus’ damage

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:50 am
by Count Silvio
A group of Louisville residents have filed a class action lawsuit against Kentucky distillers Diageo Americas Supply, Brown-Forman and Heaven Hill for allegedly damaging nearby property and homes with “whiskey fungus” or “Angel’s Share”.

The whiskey and bourbon distilleries and warehouses are accused of emitting high levels of ethanol, which causes a black fungus to grow on nearby property, including homes and cars.

Attorney William F. McMurry of Morris & Player filed the suit at a US District Court in Kentucky on behalf of three named residents – Joe Billy, Nancy Billy and Gregg Murray – and a number of other residents levying near the Louisville facilities and across the country.

“There’s no question that the presence of whiskey fungus is permanently damaging property, including the market values of many homes in the neighborhoods near these distilleries and warehouses,” Murry said. “Distilleries have the technology to eliminate this problem and we want to see property owners compensated.

“Homeowners have suffered enough decline in property values in this economy; they don’t need to suffer a further reduction due to the discharge of ethanol by whiskey manufacturers.”

He continued in the filed complaint: “Defendants knew or should have known that the ethanol emissions from their operations cause whiskey fungus to accumulate on real and personal property located in proximity to their operations, thereby causing injury to such properties. Defendants have a duty to minimize and prevent the ethanol emissions from entering on to Plaintiffs’ property and the property of others similarly situated.”

The class action is bringing counts of negligence, nuisance and trespassing against the three companies.
Read the rest of the mouldy story here.