GRAND FORKS, N.D. - A judge ruled today that a Grand Forks kidney doctor who owes close to $288,000 in back rent must vacate his space at the Aurora Medical Park by the end of this month. It's now up to Aurora whether it will enforce the eviction, the medical park's attorney, Greg Thompson, said outside of court.
"We'll see if we can work something out," Thompson said of avoiding eviction. "Money talks."
Dr. Khaled Rabadi testified that it would take four to six months to move his clinics, which serve upwards of 7,000 patients, some depending on dialysis treatments.
Thompson said in court the best way for Rabadi to look out for his patients would be to pay his rent.
Rabadi's attorney, Ted Sandberg, argued that Aurora's decision to evict his client was made improperly, without the approval of the medical park's board, which Rabadi sits on. Sandberg said the eviction suit was intended to punish his client for questioning how the company conducts business.
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Judge Debbie Kleven of state District Court said North Dakota law calls for her to rule in favor of the landlord when there's evidence rent is overdue.
The Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald and The Forum are both owned by Forum Communications Co.
