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PARIS — An eviction lawsuit against Oxford Aviation is headed back to South Paris District Court after a federal bankruptcy court in Portland remanded the case earlier this month. 

Oxford County Administrator Scott Cole said Friday that no hearing date has been set, but the county’s attorneys have communicated that a January hearing is probable.

“It looks like the county will get its day in court,” Cole said, “but we are taking it one step at a time.”

Oxford County filed a lawsuit in South Paris District Court in October to evict the company, after sending two notices to the company in September and October and terminating its lease, accusing the company of violating at least 11 separate terms of its lease with the county.

Less than a month after the suit was filed, the county’s case was put on ice after Oxford Aviation owner Jim Horowitz signed over the company’s assets to himself, then filed for chapter 13 bankruptcy. Horowitz claimed the lease with the county was included in the company’s assets and should therefore be tied to the bankruptcy proceedings.

In its remand motion, the county argued that bankruptcy court did not have jurisdiction over the case because Horowitz violated the terms of the lease by assigning it to himself, and the lease had already been terminated before Horowitz filed for personal bankruptcy.

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On Dec. 13, Judge James B. Haines granted the motion, sending the case back to South Paris District Court.

 The company, which repairs and refurbishes aircraft, has leased its 40,000-square-foot headquarters at the Oxford County Regional Airport from the county since it opened its doors in 1989. A new lease, in which Oxford Aviation paid no rent but was responsible for maintenance, was signed less than a year ago.

Attempts to reach Horowitz at the Oxford Aviation offices Friday and his attorneys from Portland law firm Marcus, Clegg and Mistretta were unsuccessful.

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