Real Estate Agent Faces Multimillion-Dollar Lawsuit Over Tree Clearing
Vlad Popach, a 34-year-old real estate agent from Issaquah, Washington, is embroiled in a legal battle after allegedly removing 142 trees from protected land in Grand Ridge Park. The lawsuit, filed last year, accuses him of creating a massive clearing visible from Interstate 90 under the guise of family safety, but court documents suggest financial motives.
Safety Claims Versus Financial Gains
Popach initially claimed that cutting down dozens of decades-old trees was necessary to protect his 4,500-square-foot home and his three children, citing falling trees around the property. However, court records obtained by The Seattle Times reveal that he subsequently raised his home's asking price by over $1 million. Just weeks ago, his residence in the private Highlands neighborhood appeared on his real estate website with a $6.5 million price tag, $1.5 million higher than its earlier off-market listing.
He promoted the "once-in-a-lifetime" views of West Tiger Mountain as a standout feature, with the property now listed as pending. County attorneys allege that his safety concerns were a cover, arguing the clearing was intended to boost the property's value by creating some of the best mountain views in the area.
"Remarkably, this concern about the danger of hazardous trees falling on his residence is wholly absent from the Zillow listing, choosing to highlight the scenic 'vistas' offered by the property instead," attorneys stated, according to the outlet.
Discovery and Environmental Impact
The massive clearing in the once-dense forest was discovered after a downslope neighbor, Alex Brown, installed a trail camera that alerts his phone to movement. Brown reported seeing wildlife like bears, bobcats, cougars, and mountain lions regularly, but one day captured footage of a large log barreling down the slope like a torpedo.
"To see a tree just flying down the hill like a javelin was pretty alarming," he told KING 5 News. Brown tracked the destruction to a development off Issaquah's Grand Ridge Drive, where he found 72 trees stripped of limbs, 45 cut down entirely, 18 topped, and seven damaged—all in the county's Grand Ridge Park.
The now-empty space opened a view between three mansions and the mountains to the south, visible from the busy interstate below. Nearby resident Caitlin McNulty, who often walks local trails with her son Julian, reported a tree catapulting from the mountain top stopping just a few hundred feet from her home.
Legal Proceedings and Damages
Brown's report triggered a King County investigation, initially estimating damages at approximately $2.3 million. In June, a civil lawsuit was filed against Popach, seeking damages and expressing concerns he might avoid payment if he loses. The lawsuit also names his wife and two neighbors, both in real estate, as defendants.
Popach, a top-producing lead broker at Compass in Bellevue, admitted to hiring a mystery company to cut the trees but defended the work, insisting they were a safety hazard and claiming an automated county phone line gave him "verbal permission." The county rejected this, reiterating accusations of financial gain.
Earlier this year, another real estate agent testified that in late 2023, before the clearing was exposed, Popach offered the property for $5 million off-market. After the trees were gone, the price increased. Photos Popach texted highlighted mountain views and his luxury home, with him calling it the best in the neighborhood in an August exchange shown to court.
He allegedly stated upgrades increased the property's value, leading to a $6.5 million asking price, and said he was not "interested in negotiations." The sale fell through, but by April, the property was listed on Popach's website, with him claiming a need for more space due to his growing family.
County's Arguments and Public Backlash
King County attorneys argued it "defies belief" that Popach, a luxury real estate specialist, did not consider the home's suitability for children before moving in. They noted he only began selling efforts after the civil suit unfolded, listing it publicly in March—an ideal time for sales—after "enjoying one summer with their newly cleared views."
McNulty speculated Popach thought he would never be caught, saying, "I imagine they thought there was a really low probability of anyone finding out." Residents have flooded his social media with criticism, with comments calling him a "POS" and hoping for cosmic karma.
Expert Assessments and Potential Outcomes
Popach hired independent expert Favero Greenforest, a consulting arborist, who noted that partially cut trees are likely to die in coming decades. Greenforest's report stated, "There are no recreational trails or other high value targets within striking distance of these trees and I see no reason to remove them." Their damage estimate, including cleanup and reseeding, was nearly $19,700—far lower than the county's.
State law allows damages to be tripled, potentially pushing totals to nearly $7 million if the county's estimate is upheld, or closer to $60,000 if Greenforest's is accepted. A civil trial is expected in January, with prosecutors weighing criminal charges.
In April, county attorneys sought a "writ of attachment" to hold sale proceeds in trust, fearing Popach might move funds beyond the court's reach. Popach denied any intention to flee, stating his family has roots in King County. The judge sided with him, denying the motion on April 15.
