Case Studies  

The Perfect Crime

   L.L. was psychiatrically disabled all of her life. She lived with her mother who provided her guidance and companionship.  Her mother died leaving the 50 year old at a loss.  Two days after her death she was approached by a real estate agent to list and sell her mother's condo. It was sold in two days for $155,000. The real estate agent also was "helping" L. L. dispose of the contents of the condo.  L.L. was very distressed by her mother's death and deteriorated psychiatrically.  She ended up in a nursing home that cares for the psychiatrically impaired and this was to be her permanent home?

  The closing for the condo was set.  The title search revealed that L.L. did not own the condo.  Instead it was owned by her mother's trust.  L.L. needed to pick a trustee and she chose LCI.  The real estate agent was anxious to close the condo the day after LCI became trustee.  LCI insisted on an appraisal prior to closing.  The appraisal showed the value $40,000 more then the contracted price.  As trustee, LCI refused to honor the contract.  LCI listed the property with another agent and closed two months later for $40,000 more than the original contract.  Furthermore, LCI sold the contents and were able to get another $10,000 for the client.  The real estate agent had a sweet deal.  Selling the house of a disabled client was perfect, she would accept any price.  He visited the condo daily and the client insisted that he was removing personal items. She did not make a creditable witness when the police were contacted due to her mental illness.  The real estate agent had executed the perfect scam almost. back. . .