Jury Clears Texas Real Estate Developer Charles Von Schmidt of All Charges

LIVINGSTON, Texas, Feb. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston-area real estate developer Charles Von Schmidt has been exonerated by a Polk County district court jury of all charges related to a buyout agreement involving lakeside vacation homes.

The jury returned its not guilty verdict on Feb. 3 after a weeklong trial before Judge David Wilson in 411^th District Court in Livingston. Mr. Von Schmidt, president of Vacation Home Builders, was represented by Houston attorneys Chip B. Lewis and Alicia O'Neill of Chip Lewis Law, Conroe attorney Steve Jackson and Lufkin attorney Melissa Hannah.

"All I have done is work tirelessly to build beautiful homes in the Cedar Point development on Lake Livingston," Mr. Von Schmidt said. "My family and I are deeply grateful the jury saw through these absurd allegations against me."

The case grew out of claims by investors Jack and Penny Uselton who filed a civil suit against Mr. Von Schmidt that was quickly dismissed. Two weeks later, the couple pursued criminal charges through the Polk County District Attorney's office.

The Useltons testified that they had been tricked into entering a buyout agreement with Mr. Von Schmidt. However, testimony from Jeremy Robin, consulting director at the international accounting firm BDO, revealed that Mr. Von Schmidt had paid the Useltons more than fairly and in fact was ahead of his scheduled payments by $150,000.

Also testifying for Mr. Von Schmidt was Polk County real estate lawyer Malcolm Jones, who educated jurors on the intricacies of complex real estate transactions, Pam Pierce of Polk County Abstract Inc., and Polk County Clerk Schelana Hock.

"The jury resoundingly rejected the allegations against Mr. Von Schmidt," Mr. Lewis said. "The Useltons sullied his good name and cost him dearly due to their unconscionable greed." 

Mr. Von Schmidt intends to proceed with his current and proposed development projects in Polk County, as well as several projects in Harris County.

For more information, contact Chip Lewis at Chip Lewis Law at 713-523-7878 or [email protected] or [email protected].

SOURCE Chip Lewis Law