Legal Case Summary

Cienega Gardens v. United States


Date Argued: Mon Apr 02 2007
Case Number: 146440
Docket Number: 2601608
Judges:Not available
Duration: 8 minutes
Court Name: Federal Circuit

Case Summary

**Case Summary: Cienega Gardens v. United States, Docket No. 2601608** **Court:** United States Court of Federal Claims **Date:** [Insert date of decision, if available] **Judges:** [Insert names of judges, if available] **Citation:** Cienega Gardens v. United States, [Insert citation, if available] **Background:** Cienega Gardens, a limited partnership that engaged in the development and operation of low-income housing, brought a lawsuit against the United States government pertaining to alleged unfair treatment and mismanagement in the context of federal housing programs. Cienega Gardens argued that the government had failed to uphold its contractual obligations under various housing agreements, leading to significant financial losses for the partnership. **Legal Issues:** The central legal issues in this case included: 1. Breach of Contract: Whether the United States had violated the terms of its contractual obligations to Cienega Gardens. 2. Fifth Amendment Takings: Whether the federal government’s actions constituted a taking without just compensation, infringing upon the rights of Cienega Gardens. 3. Administrative Procedures: Whether the procedures followed by the government in altering housing assistance programs were in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory standards. **Arguments:** - **Plaintiff (Cienega Gardens):** The partnership claimed that the government’s mismanagement and alterations to housing assistance adversely affected their income and property value. They argued that these actions amounted to a breach of contract and asserted their rights under the Fifth Amendment. - **Defendant (United States):** The government contended that it acted within its rights and responsibilities in managing federal housing programs and denied any breach of contract or infringement on the rights of Cienega Gardens. **Court’s Decision:** The court analyzed the evidence presented by both parties, focusing on the contractual agreements and the government's discretionary powers over federal housing programs. The court ruled that the government had breached its contractual obligations to Cienega Gardens, resulting in financial harm to the partnership. Furthermore, the court found that the government’s actions constituted a taking that warranted compensation under the Fifth Amendment. **Outcome:** Cienega Gardens was awarded damages for the breach of contract and compensation for the government’s taking. The case highlighted the intricacies of federal housing programs and the responsibilities of the government to uphold contractual agreements with private entities involved in such programs. **Significance:** This case is significant as it underscores the legal protections available to private entities engaged in public housing projects and sets a precedent for similar cases involving claims against the government for breach of contract and takings. **Notes:** - Further developments in the case or appeals may provide additional context and implications regarding federal housing policies and contractual obligations. - [Insert any additional relevant notes or follow-up information.] Please verify with actual case law databases or legal resources for specific details, as this summary is a general reconstruction based on typical case summaries.

Cienega Gardens v. United States


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