Tax Lien Redemption Problem (Took a loss in these streets......)

Purchased a tax lien.

Took possession.

Made repairs.

Received a redemption request.

Responded within 10 days with a bill for repairs.

Redemptioner received the bill (certified mail signed receipt) on 12/12/17.

Lawyer responded and named referee on 12/15/17.

We responded, naming our referee on 12/20/17.

Never heard back from lawyer or his referee.....

On 12-21-17, redemptioner went back to the tax collectors office and lied and say we never responded to the initial redemption request. They took his word, and allowed him to redeem & Judge Friday signed off on it.

We asked the tax collectors office clerk how did this happen and they said they had to know way of knownimg if he was lying or not. They went solely based on his word and the fact that we did receive the initial request. Was advised that in the future we should let them know when we get one and respond......WTF.

Anyway.................spoke to a couple of lawyers.  They said that mostly likely the judge will not/can not rescind the redemption and our only course of action would be to sue the redemptioner for our money.  I don't have a problem with that.  Headed to the courthouse first thing in the morning.

Any advice? 

@Denise Evans @Roy Oliphant @William Jackson @Alisha D.