Title Insurer Seeks to Freeze Law Firm's Trust Account After Murder of Its Office Manager
The intrigue surrounding a Georgia law firm took another turn this week when a title insurer sought to freeze a firm trust account for real estate transactions.
The Macon law firm, Pinkston & Associates, was first in the news three months ago when its office manager was murdered at her home, the Macon Telegraph reports. Four persons have been charged in the Oct. 5 slaying of Gail Spencer, 58, who was suffocated with a trash bag. Police allege the suspects, including 38-year-old co-worker Tracy Michelle Jones, stole more than $1 million from the firm’s accounts in a murder and embezzlement scheme.
Now Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Co. is asking a judge to issue an injunction freezing the firm’s trust account containing money from real estate transactions, the story says. The firm has acknowledged a shortfall, according to a motion filed in Bibb County Court. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Athens lawyer Thomas Rogers tells the Telegraph he represents a couple who sold their home on Oct. 4 and never received money from the firm’s trust account to pay off their mortgage. He is considering a lawsuit.
The Telegraph was unable to reach lawyer Calder Pinkston for comment.
