Husband accuses wife of selling house, maxing out credit cards, keeping possession of personal property

A Madison County man says his wife sold their house, maxed out his credit card and has taken possession of several of vehicles without compensating him.

Frank J. Becsi filed a lawsuit against Linda S. Becsi July 3 in Madison County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, the couple was married in April 2000 and, in April 2009, adopted a daughter. Frank says through the years of their marriage, he and his wife bought a home in Glen Carbon and several vehicles including a Corvette, a Honda Odyssey and two Harley Davidson motorcycles.

In May 2011 Frank claims he and his wife were having marital problems, so he moved into an apartment in St. Louis. He says Linda and their daughter remained in the couple's Glen Carbon home. That summer Linda allegedly changed the locks on the house and told Frank he was no longer allowed to be there. During that same time, Frank says he talked to Linda about starting a trust fund for their daughter. He also alleges Linda maxed out his $20,000 Mastercard.

After asking Linda to pay off the credit card, Frank claims she refused unless he agreed to sign over his interest in the Glen Carbon house, the cars and the motorcycles to Linda, with the understanding the property would be placed in the trust fund. Frank says in the summer of 2011 he executed a quit claim deed for the house and the vehicles believing they would be put into a trust for the couple's daughter.

Frank contends the trust fund was never created. He also says in the summer of 2012 he found a listing for the Glen Carbon real estate. Linda allegedly removed all the personal property from the house, including items belonging to Frank, and took them to an undisclosed location in Barrington.

The couple's house sold for $360,000 in March 2013, according to the lawsuit, with all proceeds paid to the defendant. Frank says his wife has since purchased another house in North Barrington for $740,000.

Frank accuses Linda of unjust enrichment and fraudulent misrepresentation for not creating a trust fund and assigning the house and vehicles to it. He is also suing his wife for conversion of funds, personal property and real property. Frank asks for a judgment of more than $300,000 in damages and court costs. He also requests the creation of a constructive trust using his interest in the proceeds from the sale of the couple's house, vehicles and funds to repay the credit card.

Attorney Heather L. Siddle of Belleville represents Frank Becsi. They request a jury trial.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-1113