BELLEVIEW – A disabled woman's legal guardian are suing her former handyman for allegedly coercing the plaintiff into selling her familial mineral rights to him.
Patricia Deets, a disabled adult, and her legal guardian Stacie McClure sued Timothy Bergman May 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, alleging multiple counts of fraud and unjust enrichment.
The plaintiffs allege Bergman, who served as Deets’ handyman before the suit was filed, “made statements to the gain [the] plaintiff’s trust and control over plaintiff’s financial affairs." They claim Bergman repeatedly told Deets that he could help manage her financial affairs efficiently and it would be in her interest to sell her familial mineral rights for a reduced value. The plaintiffs allege Bergman knew the statements he made were false.
Deets relied on Bergman's statements and ended up turning over “more than $150,000,” to Bergman when she accepted an offer for reduced value for the sale of her mineral rights. Deets allegedly suffered financial damage as a result, the suit alleges.
The plaintiffs argue that Bergman is currently retaining the benefit of the $150,000 and effectively holds control of Deets' financial affairs without her fair consent. The suit states that Deets has suffered financially "as she is without the enjoyment and use of her property."
The plaintiffs filed suit on three separate charges against Bergman, including fraud, consumer fraud and unjust enrichment, with each allegation calling for a reward in excess of $50,000, which would “compensate plaintiffs reasonably and fairly for their injuries and damages and for costs of suit.”
Deets and McClure are represented by attorneys Grey Chatham Jr. of Chatham & Baricevic Legal Services in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case number 19-L-383