Today, David Tomblin lost one-third of his properties. Tomblin owed US Bank more than $8.5 million. Despite months of promising funding, he failed to pay, compelling US Bank to ask for a receiver to be appointed. This morning, a judge agreed: A third-party receiver is to take over management of 86 properties.

“I’m hopeful,” says Samantha Gamble, a tenant in one of the 86 properties. “My ceiling was collapsed for 7 years under Highgrove. It rained in every room of our house. It was only after Common Ground and the City blasted Tomblin that he finally put on a band-aid. But he didn’t deal with the black mold, the holes in the heating duct, or the busted sinks in our bathroom and kitchen. We asked to be relocated. He showed us one place April 19 with standing water, no electricity, and no bathtub. It felt like a slap in the face. My family has felt hopeless and stuck for too long. We want US Bank to address our concerns and make the rent reasonable—we shouldn’t be paying $1,200/month for terrible conditions. We love this neighborhood, this block. We want to stay here. We’re glad Tomblin isn’t our landlord anymore. Now please do the right thing, US Bank.”

Carolyn Ferguson, another tenant of the 86 properties says: “I’m glad US Bank took over the property. I hope they can get things done that need to get done—and that we can live how we’re supposed to live. Good riddance, David Tomblin.” Ms. Ferguson, a mother of 17, has been a Highgrove tenant for 7 years. She has cracked walls, broken flooring, a gaping hole in the wall, and water leaks.

David Tomblin always says money is just around the corner. But his record is clear:

• His last business went bankrupt. 
• Thirty-five of his investors sued him for fraud and breach of contract in 2023 and 2025. For example, The Nancy Kim Trust sued Tomblin for “intentional misrepresentation”—the Trust invested $450,000 in Highgrove in 2016, but received $0 as of 2022.
• Tomblin told us last October (before we went public) that he would pay his $350,000 of taxes by the end of the year—as of February 2026, he owed double. 

Tomblin is all talk. Money has never been on the way. Today was proof. And of course, now that he is being cornered, Tomblin is blaming Common Ground. Perhaps he should have been out fixing his properties on Monday, instead of smiling in front of cameras at City Hall on Monday. 

We look forward to the next two-thirds of Tomblin’s properties being taken from him and placed into responsible hands. Common Ground and Tenants United will not tolerate bad landlords in our city any longer. 

We are eager to see US Bank prioritize people over profit. We look forward to working with them so that the properties are rehabilitated, sold to current Highgrove tenants or other homeowners, and kept out of the hands of other corporate landlords.

Actions have consequences; we are the consequences.

Common Ground and Tenants United have been organizing Highgrove tenants for more than a year. We trained over 67 volunteers (including many Highgrove tenants) to canvass all of Tomblin’s properties several times over. We systematically documented interior and exterior conditions. We convened Highgrove tenants for group meetings to build relationships, share experiences, and strategize. We approached City Attorney Evan Goyke, told him about Highgrove, shared our concerns, and thankfully, began working with him and his team right away to bring the largest public nuisance enforcement lawsuit in Milwaukee’s history. Read more about our campaign on our website here.