Further, the city argued that the Munozes' business had failed for many reasons, including the closing of a nearby Acme, actions taken by the previous owner and Ed Munoz's illness.
The city's "forensic accountant determined from a review that [the Munozes'] business was worthless after December of 2002, nine months before the FCDC and the city had even obtained the requisite funding to make the project happen," city attorneys wrote.
Debbie Munoz agreed that her business had other problems, but said the uncertainty and ill will that the impending project brought hurt the business, and that the two years she spent not knowing what the city's plans were left her in a decision-making limbo.