Couple Thought They Found Their Dream Home. Then They Discovered a Swastika Hidden Under the Basement Rug

Couple Taking Legal Action After Swastika Found Under Basement Rug in New Residence

A Pennsylvania couple is pursuing legal action against the seller of their home after discovering Nazi symbolism tiled into the basement floor. The shocking revelation came to light after Daniel and Lynn Rae Wentworth purchased the property in Beaver County in September 2023.

In a complaint filed in court and obtained by PEOPLE, the Wentworths alleged that they only uncovered the presence of a swastika and a German eagle tiled into the basement floor after moving into the house. This discovery, hidden under rugs during the initial inspection before the purchase, left the couple feeling “shocked” and “mortified.”

Following the purchase, the Wentworths began the process of settling into what they believed to be their dream home. However, their excitement turned to dismay when they found the Nazi iconography beneath a rug while cleaning up the basement.

Lynn Rae Wentworth described the moment of discovery as initially confusing and later alarming when the reality of the situation sank in. The couple expressed their distress at not being informed about the presence of such offensive symbols before finalizing the purchase of the property.

According to the lawsuit, the Wentworths accused the seller of deliberately concealing the Nazi symbolism, a deceitful act that they deemed as “wholly outrageous, willful, wanton and reckless.” They contended that this act violated Pennsylvania’s real estate seller disclosure law, which mandates the disclosure of all known defects.

The couple’s attorney, Daniel Stoner, revealed that the seller allegedly installed the symbol in the 1970s and dismissed it as a harmless ancient symbol. However, the Wentworths insisted that the presence of such imagery without their knowledge prevented them from making an informed decision about the property.

As a result of the distressing discovery, the Wentworths are seeking damages totaling no more than $50,000 to cover the costs of removing and replacing the tiled flooring in the basement. Lynn Rae Wentworth expressed a sense of horror at now owning a property tainted with such hateful symbolism.

The seller’s attorney maintained that the swastika does not constitute a defect that requires disclosure, sparking a legal dispute between the two parties. The Wentworths are determined to hold the seller accountable for their emotional and financial distress caused by the hidden Nazi symbolism.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of full disclosure in real estate transactions and the repercussions of failing to disclose significant details that could impact a buyer’s decision. The Wentworths’ experience highlights the need for transparency and honesty in all aspects of property sales to prevent such distressing situations from arising in the future.