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Texas Attorney To Repay $200,000 He Stole From Imprisoned Father

Ex Texas federal prisoner John Kennedy (plaintiff) brought suit against his son Michael for theft, conversion, and fraud after stealing his money and turning the plaintiff in to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). His son was ordered to repay $200,000.

After serving time for practicing law under disbarment the plaintiff arrived at his Missouri City residence to find that $311,000 of $1.2 million he had stashed in the office was gone. His house sitting son admitted taking $90,000 to pay his mother for back child support. When the plaintiff reported this to authorities the son turned the money over to them and was not charged. He then turned the plaintiff in to the IRS who took $850,000 for back taxes, allegedly leaving the plaintiff impoverished for life. The plaintiff served his son with the lawsuit upon completion of his law school graduation ceremony. He asked the jury to award him $330,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. The son counter sued for libel and slander but admitted taking $200,000 when cross examined.

The Harris County District Court ordered the son to repay the $200,000 but the jury found no fraud or theft commission. See: Kennedy v. Kennedy. Case No. 2005 72940 (157th Dist. Tex. Nov. 30, 2006).

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Related legal case

Kennedy v. Kennedy