NFL football veteran, neighbors reach truce in battle over Lake Murray mansion

Coronavirus may be forcing curfews and stay-at-home orders across South Carolina, but that hasn’t stopped NFL veteran wide receiver Dontrelle Inman and his Lake Murray neighbors from reaching a truce in a lawsuit and war of words over his plans to convert his lakeside mansion into a money-making marriage destination.

Under a compromise order signed Thursday by a state judge, both parties said they will halt their internet use when promoting or opposing Inman’s business venture.

The NFL star, who was born in Charleston and played high school football with Batesburg-Leesville High, agreed to stop promoting his waterfront mansion on Facebook and other sites. The neighbors say they will stop putting up “signs, banners and other public displays” that express opposition to his plans and will refrain from using online tools to bad-mouth Inman’s plans. The lawsuit, however, is still ongoing.

“We’re obviously very glad to have reached a mutual temporary resolution. We think it protects our client and his right to use his property and protects him from any potential disparagement,” said Jessica Fickling, one of Inman’s attorneys.

The agreement also comes with several other stipulations the NFL veteran must follow.

Among them, Inman must follow rules to seek a business license and seek any necessary zoning changes from authorities before starting what he hoped to be a thriving marriage and party destination called Lake Murray Manor. He must also notify neighbors when he plans to file for necessary permits to change what has, up to now, been considered a quiet, high-end lakeside community located near Irmo in Richland County.

That way, neighbors will be able to file timely objections and attend hearings if they wish, according to the agreement.

“This is the right result for both the homeowners and Mr. Inman,” said attorney Eric Bland, who with Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Richland, represents more than a dozen of the football player’s neighbors. Harpootlian says he is representing the plaintiffs pro bono because they are his constituents.

“Now Mr. Inman has to find his way through the gauntlet of business license requirements, zoning requirements and construction permits — all the things that a normal property owner would do if they want to change the use of their property,” Bland said.

Earlier this month, owners of eight residences close to Inman’s 5,370-square-foot home and 1,700-square-foot pool house filed suit against Inman over his plans — which he publicized on the Internet and in statements to the media — to convert his property into a party destination that would attract hundreds.

The lawsuit said Inman had allowed a helicopter to land on his property to test bringing wedding couples onto his site “for a grand entrance” — an allegation that a spokesman for Inman said had no basis.

Neighbors started an Internet site opposing Inman, put up protest banners and signs and retained lawyers who filed suit.

A key allegation in the lawsuit was that Inman had not received county approval to use his mansion as a for-profit venue for parties of up to 750 people, and the resulting crowds would jam the community’s roads, overflow its small sewer system and disturb neighborhood tranquility.

On March 6, in response to the lawsuit, state Judge Robert Hood issued an order blocking Inman’s plans to go ahead with his marriage mansion plans.

On Thursday, Hood issued his order effectively setting a truce in the ongoing lawsuit.

“This order lowers the the tension between Mr. Inman and his neighbors,” said Bland. “Our clients are confident the government process will do its job.”

Inman’s gated manor was built in 1985. It has five master suites, 8.5 bathrooms, a cigar room, bar, great room, outdoor gazebo, two swimming pools, a private dock and more than 500 feet of waterfront. Inman bought the mansion in 2018 for $950,000 and has invested $250,000 in renovations, his publicist has said.

Inman last played with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019. Over his pro career, Inman has played with several NFL teams, including five seasons with the San Diego/ Los Angeles Chargers.

This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 6:28 PM.