Moose Crossing lien released

Whitefish Credit Union has released the lien held against the original developers of the Moose Crossing subdivision north of Columbia Falls.

Flathead County District Court Judge Ted Lympus granted a summary judgment to Whitefish Credit Union on June 11, 2010, after the developers failed to pay on three loans totaling more than $1 million. Including interest and fees, the developers owed $1,195,661 at the time of the ruling.

The Moose Crossing developers originally included Montana Land Concepts, Luke, Wayne and William Bengtson, of West Glacier, Greg Larson, of Somers, James DesJardins, of Troy, and Eddie’s Development Corp., of Butte.

The 15-lot Moose Crossing subdivision is located on the North Fork Road next door to the city’s Cedar Creek subdivision. The project ran into trouble when the economy went into a recession in 2009.

Whitefish Credit Union bought the subdivision at the July 11, 2013 sheriff’s auction for $852,243, leaving a deficiency judgment of $532,126. A total of $218,953 had accrued by the time of the sheriff’s auction.

Three of the lots were sold for $550,170, and the defendants came up with cash and property to settle the deficiency. The lien was released on March 10.