Licenses for two Vicksburg real estate brokers have been suspended following an investigation by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission.

Harley Halpin Caldwell and Richard Caldwell settled claims they disputed with the commercial real estate regulatory panel alleging violations of the professional conduct rules

Harley Caldwell, a broker at Coldwell Banker All-Stars on South Frontage Road, is suspended for six months with the final month held in abeyance. Her husband, Richard Caldwell, faces a three-month suspension. Both will remain on probation for a year and must complete eight hours of continuing education in addition to the 16 hours required by law to renew a license. Both waived their right to present evidence and argue their case in a formal hearing before the commission. Each suspension is to be carried out consecutively so that the firm may continue to operate, the commission ordered.

The suspensions were based on three complaints, according to commission files. The Caldwells did not admit to the accuracy to the allegations, nor did they admit they broke state law or commission guidelines.

One, from August 2007, alleged a property condition disclosure statement prepared by Harley Caldwell and signed by the seller of a home at 1001 Jackson St. “did not reflect the true condition of the property.” The complaint said the property was advertised as having features not actually present, including a security system.

Another complaint, filed in August 2008, said unlicensed assistants were involved in real estate activities for which a real estate license is required by law. An unspecified misrepresentation on the sale and purchase of a home at 909 Cherry St. also appears in case files. A third stems from a complaint aimed at both Caldwells and Coldwell Banker All-Stars. Details of the complaint aren’t specified in the case, however the commission said both had failed to respond to its written request for information in a timely fashion.

The Caldwells have been in the real estate business in Vicksburg since 1989, first on Clay Street then at the current location they operate on South Frontage Road. Harley Caldwell is part of the development group for Eastvillage subdivision, under construction off Lee Road. Earlier in the decade, she also co-developed early phases of a townhouse development at Washington and Grove streets downtown before construction was shelved due to the economy.

MREC members are appointed by the governor via congressional district, with one at-large slot.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com