Tampa Bay Times sues tenant for $90,000 in unpaid rent

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Tampa Bay Times is trying to get its hands on nearly $90,000 owed for rental space. The Times has been renting part of its Ashley Drive building in Tampa to Southeastern Document Services for several years.

Now the Times is suing the photocopy company for failing to pay its rent for more than a year. It says Southeastern owes them $88,000.

The Times reportedly issued a three-day notice to Southeastern to pay up or vacate the building. The company did neither.

Now the Times is suing for the money owed plus legal fees and is asking the tenant to be evicted.

Southeastern Document Services is co-owned by Ken and Harold McKee.

The lawsuit comes as the Times is facing its own financial woes. The paper has been trying to liquidate properties all over the Bay area, including its main headquarters in Downtown St. Pete.

They also gave up naming rights to the stadium where the Tampa Bay Lightning play.

The Tampa Bay Times took out a high-risk loan for $28 million from a Boston-based lender. The loan is due in full by the end of next year. The company hopes the sale of its flagship offices will cover the amount due.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected].