or The Case of the Missing $195, 168
Hattiesburg attorney Corey Ferraez is in jail.
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| Corey Ferraez, Esq. |
Perry County Chancellor Sheila Smallwood ordered Ferraez incarcerated on June 16 after he did not appear in court and failed to deposit $450,000 in a wrongful death settlement with the Court as directed.
Ferraez deposited $214,831 with the Chancery Clerk on June 27 while on the lam.
The wayward attorney presented himself to Judge Smallwood today, clad in coat and tie, looking a hybrid between a Sigma Chi and a barrister.* The Chancellor gave him a chance to explain himself. Mr. Ferraez claimed he missed hearings due to a medical emergency yet provided no evidence.
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| Credit: Hattiesburg Patriot |
A victimized Sylvia Weatherford told Judge Smallwood she received income only through Social Security. She had no air conditioning and had to pay a mortgage and utilities. Weatherford asked the Court to approve a disbursement of $20,000 from the funds deposited so she could just pay bills.
The widow of Stephen Weatherford borrowed $42,000 during the litigation of the wrongful death claim. However, she incurred fees and interest due to her inability to pay back the loans. Thus the total amount owed is approximately $100,000. (Ouch!)
Judge Smallwood turned from discussing liens against the estate to Ferraez's motion to vacate her order of incarceration.
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| Corey Ferraez body double? |
The lawyer asked the Judge to hold the hearing in private and exclude the media. The Chancellor denied his request. Ferraez apologized to the Court. He said again and again how much he respected the Court before claiming he suffered from depression and other medical issues. He cited addiction issues with drugs and alcohol as well. Covid was naturally mentioned.
Ferraez justified his fees to the Court, arguing it had already approved his fees. He said it did not serve the Court's interest to incarcerate him. He blamed media scrutiny for the "collapse of my practice."
"Mr. Ferraez," began the Chancellor in a soft voice that brooked no argument. She cited numerous instances where she "reached out" to Farraez but to no avail. Although Ferraez argued the Chancellor approved his fees in an earlier order, Judge Smallwood set him straight as he sat dazed. She said her November 26, 2024 order said otherwise. The order states:
Oops. The judge said in Ferraez told her "all claims were resolved" in December. Citing the interest added to the loans, the Chancellor said the delay "cost a lot of money." Judge Smallwood repeatedly tried to schedule status updates but to no avail. He claimed "spotty cellphone service" when she sent a zoom link to the attorney.
Fed up, Judge Smallwood finally ordered the lawyer incarcerated and to deposit the $450,000 settlement on June 16. The Chancellor said he evaded arrest for nearly a month. The Court noted Ferraez deposited an amount that did not take into account the liens against the estate.
"It is the obligation of the Court to enforce its own order," decreed the Chancellor as she denied his motion to vacate.
The Chancellor said the balance Ferraez owed is $195,168 after recognizing he paid $40,000 to Sylvia Weatherford. She ordered him to tender $195,168 to the Court today.
Facing arrest, Ferraez said he could not pay as his bank closed his account and cut off his access. The lawyer blamed the media for his bank problems. However, the Court docket said his bank statements were submitted to the Court under seal.
Judge Smallwood ordered Ferraez immediately incarcerated and said he would not be released until he paid $195,168 to the Court.
A bailiff handcuffed Ferraez and took him out of the courthouse to the Perry County jail where he will live behind bars for awhile.
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| Credit: Hattiesburg Patriot |
Judge Smallwood also approved a $20,000 disbursement to Sylvia Weatherford so she can pay her bills.
Note: The video of hearing is available on the Facebook page of the Hattiesburg Patriot for subscribers ($5 a month).
Kingfish note: Can the Chancellor void his fees? It would not be surprising if she deducts interest incurred because of his behavior from his fees.
Today's case reminds me of when Mike Brown appeared before Judge Thomas. As Mike Brown made excuse after excuse, Judge Thomas broadly shook his head in disgust.
* Sorry, he hasn't earned Deke status.
19 comments:
He needed to show up with a lawyer
Thought he was in Mexico? How'd that happen?
Mr. Ferraez needs to file a motion to fix.
Finally, he is where he deserves to be! His practice "collapsed" because he is a thief and word got out. He very well may have depression and addiction issues, but that does not excuse his behavior. I have no sympathy for him.
And where oh where is The Mississippi Bar? Still recovering the party in Sandestin I guess. It is a travesty of justice that The Bar let this happen. Yes, I said the Mississippi Bar. They could have filed a complaint and moved for an interim suspension to prevent this from happening, but they didn't.
"I fought the law, and the law won." Looks like taking your client's money isn't a good idea. Who would have ever guessed? Now he's being incarcerated for civil contempt. I know the words "incarceration" and "civil" don't usually go together, but that's what this is. A person can be held in jail for "civil contempt," because the goal is not to punish. The goal of "criminal contempt" is to punish (and he may still be held in criminal contempt at some point). But the purpose of civil contempt is to compel compliance with the Court's Orders. The judge ordered him to turn over the other half of the funds. Since he couldn't produce the rest of the money at the hearing, that is why he is being incarcerated. The moment he turns over the money (and I'm guessing he'll need to get a friend on the outside to go get the money for him), then he will be released from jail. That's why the old saying on civil contempt is that the contemnor "holds the keys to the jail in his hands." So the second Cory complies and hands over the money (or, in more likely terms, the moment Cory has a friend/family member turn over the money on his behalf), he can be released from jail. Until then, enjoy your overnight stay and 3 cold meals at the ole Billy McGee Complex, Cory!
The Jimmy Jamm DDS comparison is *chef's kiss* Kingfish.
This cat will be selling insurance soon.
At what point is the Mississippi Bar liable if someone gets screwed over by their lawyer?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the following people can currently practice law in Mississippi:
The former mayor of Jackson
The Hinds DA
The guy in this article
The crazy woman that represented the NW Rankin girl that killed her mom
You'all remember the movie "Get Hard". He had to grow a beard & get hard before going to jail. Enough said!
The Mississippi Bar has a staff directory of almost 20 people.
What are the chances that they all are "working" from home, sitting on the couch in their jammies?
The Mississippi Bar is immune from liability according to the Rules of Professional Conduct
He will NEVER repay those funds.
The Bar should pay this lady.
By voluntarily turning himself in, he makes other lawyers look bad.
Truck driving school.
"...spotty cellphone service..." has now replaced "my dog ate my homework."
Thelaw nails it, again. I would buy you lunch, Thelaw!
I don’t think Cory is vacationing at the Billy McGee but instead he is enjoying a more rural setting at the Perry County Jail. Three hots and a cot for Cory, whose Esq.should be dropped and replaced with SOL. Or POS.
Or, as Michael Brown explained it, “A pipe burst and water destroyed my files.”
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