Councilwoman Hughes Faces Eviction Proceedings

Alexandria City Councilwoman Alicia Hughes is appealing a court judgment against her on claims she failed to pay rent to her landlord.

Last week a judge ruled in default in favor of Realty Management Services Inc., which owns The Strand of Alexandria apartments on Yoakum Parkway, after Hughes failed to appear in court, according to court papers. Realty Management was awarded $2,296.49 in back rent, $52 in court costs and $500 in attorney’s fees, court documents state.

Hughes had filed a motion to dismiss the case based on what she alleged was a lack of proper legal notification about the case against her. In her motion, Hughes stated that she did not receive a copy of the filing in the mail and only received a posting from the sheriff upon returning home Jan. 10.

Hughes also said in her motion that she is working with the apartment property manager to “cure inaccuracies in her account ledger.” Her motion was denied upon her failing to appear, according to court papers.

Hughes, reached by telephone Wednesday, said she is appealing the judgment. She had no further comment other than to say in an email, "The merits of this case have not been heard and there is no final disposition.”

First elected to city council in 2009, Hughes has faced multiple legal actions from Realty Management. One case was dismissed in September 2011 after Realty Management admitted a mistake in its computer system.

General District Court records show that Realty Management Services has dropped several similar mistaken cases against Hughes in the past but was awarded default judgment against her in unlawful detainer cases in September 2008, April 2009 and January 2011.