BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- A homeowner's complaint to Channel 9 is shedding light on the FDLE investigation into Brevard County Property Appraiser Jim Ford. Ford is being investigated for allegedly lowering property values in order to give tax breaks to political supporters.

The land owned by Dave Norman, not including the home, was appraised at over $500,000. So was the neighboring lot before Thirrel Altman went to the property appraiser and got a huge reduction that has saved him thousands in taxes.

"It's the exact size, exact everything," Norman said.

Norman can't figure out why the land under his home has a higher value than the virtually identical lot next door and why he has to pay more taxes than his neighbor, Thirrel Altman Sr.

"I thought there must be some reason," Norman said.

Altman, the father of State Representative Thad Altman, asked the Property Appraiser's Office to lower the value in 2006, which the appraiser did by more than $150,000. Norman said he was told it was because there were problems with Altman's lot and it could not be built on, so Norman checked with the county

"None of the people out there knew of any problem that existed in this development that would not allow someone to get a permit or to sell a lot," Norman said.

Channel 9 discovered Altman was one of Ford's campaign contributors, donating $500 in 2004.

The FDLE has interviewed both Norman and Altman in their criminal investigation into whether Ford and his staff lowered property values as political favors in this case and others. Eyewitness News tracked down Ford to ask him about Altman's reduction.

"As far as I know, they are appropriate," he said.

"If taxes are what they are for my lot, I'm paying them. I'm just saying that everyone should pay their fair share, especially if the lots are identical," Norman said.

Norman said he is now anxiously waiting for word on what the State Attorney's Office is going to do with the case. Attempts to contact Thirell Altman in South Carolina were unsuccessful Friday. Eyewitness News also contacted State Representative Thad Altman but he was still unavailable because of a surgery. The State Attorney has not yet decided whether to file criminal charges against Ford.