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Landlord Sues Former Tenants Who Claimed Toms River House Was Haunted

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey landlord has filed a lawsuit against the couple who claimed their rented Toms River house was haunted.

Landlord Richard Lopez is seeking damages in state court from Michelle Callan and her fiancé, Jose Chinchilla.

The couple said they found clothes mysteriously ejected from closets and heard all kinds of strange noises, including the sound of something being dragged through the basement.

The couple even called in investigators with the Shore Paranormal Research Society. The group classified the activity as "paranormal" but that it did not indicate a haunting, according to their website.

However, the landlord believes the couple was actually spooked by the $1,500 a month rental fee and made up the ghost story to get out of their lease.

The couple has already sued Lopez for their $2,250 security deposit, claiming the alleged paranormal activity forced them out of the home only a week after moving in.

Lopez said the claim of a haunted house will scare away potential new tenants or buyers.

What do you think the outcome of the lawsuits will be?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below...

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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