Attorney Chad Pinkerton Challenges Helping a Hero Organization for Continued Abuse of Veterans and Their Families
Alleges Scott and Sarah Lathan of Round Rock, Texas are latest victims of the non-profit's deceit and suspicious practices
HOUSTON, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second time in less than a year, Texas attorney Chad Pinkerton has filed suit against HELPINGAHERO.ORG, this time alleging "fraudulent inducement", "negligent misrepresentation", and "breach of fiduciary duty" in the organization's dealings with Sgt. First Class Scott Lathan (Ret.) and his wife Sarah.
In April of this year, attorney Pinkerton filed charges against HELPINGAHERO.ORG on behalf of the family of deceased U. S. Army Specialist Hunter N. LeVine.
During his service in the U.S. Army, Sgt. Lathan was wounded in action in Balad, Iraq and was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury with cognitive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and knee, back, and hip problems. These injuries, coupled with his wife's medical issues, placed their family finances in jeopardy and amplified their need for dependable housing at a manageable expense.
In documents filed with a Harris County District Court, attorney Chad Pinkerton alleges that a representative of HELPINGAHERO.ORG contacted the Lathans in September of 2012 about the organization's intent to "award" them a home and encouraged them to attend a gala event in Houston to find out if they would receive the home that year or the following year. The financially-troubled couple and their children were elated by the news and immediately made plans to travel to Houston. There, they attended lengthy seminars and were told by representatives of HELPINGAHERO.ORG that they would soon receive their "forever home". Specific promises regarding the size of the house, the interest rate and the cost of the home were made at this time, and the couple was taken on tours of other veterans' homes that had been "awarded" by the organization.
Attorney Chad Pinkerton alleges that the events that followed induced the Lathans to sell their existing home below market value and caused them to endure a series of delays that extended through 2013 in pursuit of their promised "forever home."
Eventually, amid great fanfare generated by HELPINGAHERO.ORG, the Lathans moved into a newly built home on December 20, 2013. However, the Lathans' mortgage obligation, originally communicated as $50,000, had escalated to $120,000 and the promised 3.5% interest rate was considerably higher.
"This brave soldier and his loyal wife have been subjected to unforgiveable actions by HELPINGAHERO.ORG," says Pinkerton, "and this is becoming a regular practice of this shady organization. HELPINGAHERO.ORG director Meredith Iler is our prime suspect in these misdeeds and I'm going to do my best to put an end to her horrible treatment of our veterans."
The suit requests compensation for actual damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
"This organization and its director pretend to serve veterans," alleges Pinkerton, "but in reality they are shameless self-promoters interested in glory and glamour, when they should be focusing on safe affordable housing for these injured soldiers. My clients have been emotionally and verbally abused, lied to, threatened, and virtually abandoned by the group that promised to help them out of the unfortunate situation that this same organization helped to create. It is an unconscionable breach of trust."
On Monday, November 17, 2014 HELPINGAHERO.ORG will stage its annual fundraising gala at the Hilton-Americas Houston, 1600 Lamar in Houston, Texas, beginning at 5:00 PM.
"I only wish these donors knew the truth about where their money was going—or wasn't going," Pinkerton laments. "Somebody's got to tell them, and I guess that's me."
The case number is 2014-66167 and the original pleading is dated November 11, 2014.
About Chad Pinkerton: The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC specializes in wrongful death and personal injury cases. Founded in 2006, the firm has already recovered more than $100,000,000 for clients injured or killed in industrial, maritime, construction, railroad, and motor vehicle accidents, as well as from industrial diseases and medical malpractice. Founding attorney Chad Pinkerton graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Houston Law Center. He may be contacted at:
The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC
5020 Montrose Blvd, Suite 550
Houston, TX 77006
Phone: (866) 764-0412
Local: (713) 360-6722
Fax: (713) 360-6810
SOURCE The Pinkerton Law Firm, PLLC
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