Yet another client accused Hattiesburg attorney Corey Ferraez of embezzling part of a settlement as another lawsuit was filed against the lawyer last week.
Jeremy Orloff suffered injuries in a motorcar collision in November 2021. Orloff retained Ferraez to pursue a personal injury claim.
Mississippi Farm Bureau settled the case and sent a check in March 2023 and another in November 2024. The complaint claims:
12. Nearly four months afte-r receiving the November 2024 payment and nearly two (2) years after receiving the March 2023 payment Ferraez had Jerry execute settlement disbursement paperwork representing that Jerry's portion of the funds received would be in the amount of$39,163.56. 13. Jerry subsequently contacted Ferraez and his firm multiple times to get a status update on the settlement funds he has withheld. 14. As of the date of this filing, despite many attempts by Jerry, he has been unable to obtain the settlement proceeds of $39,163.56 which are being held by Ferraez and/or Defendants. 15. As a result of Defendants' continuous delays, no-shows, and failure/refusal to give him the settlement proceeds that belong to him, Jerry has now been forced to file this lawsuit.
Jeremy Orloff sued Ferraez in Forrest County Circuit Court on June 17, seeking damages. Attorneys from Ferraez's old firm, Mary Less Holmes and Marcus McLelland, represent the plaintiff.
The lawsuits keep piling up against Corey Ferraez as he sits in the Perry County jail:
2021: Indictment for embezzlement
2021: Indictment of embezzlement
2025: Contempt of court incarceration in Perry County for possible embezzlement.
2025: Orloff lawsuit for embezzlement.
2025: Bullock lawsuit for embezzlement.
The Orloff case is assigned to Circuit Judge Carol Jones Russell.
Synopsis of The Corey Chronicles
A Forrest County grand jury indicted attorney Corey Ferraez in October 2021 for embezzlement by attorney, conspiracy to obtain signature with intent to defraud, and mail/wire fraud. Corey's twin brother Jace was also indicted for conspiracy to obtain signature with intent to defraud.
The story begins when Corey was a partner at the Holmes, McLelland, & Farraez law firm. As so many lawyers do, Corey and his firm divorced. The lawyer was "obligated to pay the firm, now McHard, McHard, Anderson, and Associates, PLLC 20% of all attorneys fees in cases included in the settlement agreement.
The list of cases included the representation of Shawn Vaughn. Corey represented Vaughn in a personal injury lawsuit as well as her Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. Corey settled Vaughn's lawsuit for $650,000. The attorney's fees were $260,000. Thus Corey allegedly owe $52,000 to his former firm. However, the indictment claims he had other ideas.
Count I accuses Corey of filing a bogus lien against the bankruptcy estate on behalf of MMAA for $52,000 in March 2020. The bankruptcy court approved payment of the lien. Thus Corey managed to pay his former law firm by sticking his client with the bill, forcing her to pay $312,000 in attorney's fees.
Ferraez's problems with the legal system were only just beginning. The grand jury indicted him in a separate case in October 2021 for four counts of embezzlement. Earlier post
The indictments have a rather curious history. All twelfth circuit court judges recused themselves. The Mississippi Supreme Court appointed Special Circuit Judge Forrest Johnson to hear the case. The Court appointed then-Fourteenth District Attorney Dee Bates to prosecute both cases. However, Bates retired and the current District Attorney, Brendan Adams, withdrew from the case in April 2024, claiming his caseload was too great.
Judge Johnson directed Forrest County District Attorney Lin of the Clan of Carter to appoint a special prosecutor. However, Carter never got the order. The problem was rectified last week when he appointed Rankin-Madison District Attorney Bubba Bramlett to prosecute the case.
Ferraez got into more trouble in Perry County Chancery Court . The attorney represented Sylvia Weatherford in a wrongful death lawsuit after her husband died in an automobile accident. The insurance company paid $450,000 to Ferraez and settled the case. However, the lawyer inexplicably did not turn over any funds to his client, forcing her to take out high-interest pre-settlement loans. Ferraez repeatedly blew off hearings until Chancellor Sheila Smallwood ordered them to appear at a show-cause hearing and deposit $450,000 with the Court.
Ferraez ignored the hearing so Judge Smallwood ordered his incarceration on June 16. Ferraez was a fugitive until a week ago when he surrendered. While on the lam, he deposited $215,000 with the Court, claiming he took out his attorney's fees.
The Chancellor admonished him in court last week as she called out his lies. The Court earlier ruled Ferraez could not pay himself his fees until they were approved by the Court, which did not happen. The Chancellor said Ferraez still owed $195,168. The lawyer and antique enthusiast claimed he could not access his bank account as the bank had closed it dues to media scrutiny. Judge Smallwood did not allow him to pass go and sent him straight to jail. Ferraez filed a notice of appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court, protesting his incarceration. Earlier post.
Julia Bullock, a former Ferraez client, sued the attorney in Forrest County Circuit Court on June 30. The plaintiff was injured in a car wreck. State Farm paid $140,000 to Ferraez on behalf of his client in late 2023. The complaint claims Ferraez withheld $25,000 from the client despite repeated assurances he would forward the proceeds. Ferraez made two partial payments of $6,500 but Bullock says he still owes her $18,500. Earlier post.
More clients are expected to file lawsuits against Ferraez.
14 comments:
Gambling, drugs, or both?
Kingfish, this is dumbfounding:
"All twelfth circuit court judges recused themselves. The Mississippi Supreme Court appointed Special Circuit Judge Forrest Johnson to hear the case. The Court appointed then-Fourteenth District Attorney Dee Bates to prosecute both cases. However, Bates retired and the current District Attorney, Brendan Adams, withdrew from the case in April 2024, claiming his caseload was too great. Judge Johnson directed Forrest County District Attorney Lin of the Clan of Carter to appoint a special prosecutor. However, Carter never got the order."
What probably happened was the order fell through the cracks. Special Circuit Judges often are not given clerks or staff attorneys by the local circuits when assigned. Thus the judge has to do EVERYTHING. Especially in Hinds County.
It’s on like a chicken bone now with Madison County’s finest to the rescue. Corey, you’re cooked!
Thanks Kingfish. I didn't know that.
If the MS BAR and the judicial system don't hold guys like this accountable and rectify the problem, then they are leaving individuals no choice but to go back to the ole' "I'll handle those bastards myself" stance. When the justice system breaks down, vigilante justice will become the law of the land again. Those kinds of consequences tend to be more effective anyway.
Pay attention, judges.
How does an attorney who gets indicted twice in 2021 maintain his law license and standing with the MS Bar?
MS Bar accountability actions are a joke-
Mississippi is corrupt. Full stop.
New here? This is how things are done in the 'Sip. It's all good ole boys with wink, wink, nudge, nudge, and a side of palm grease.
Amen, brother.
11:29, It happened because the indictments were not pushed to trial by the prosecution. I don't know where the victims of the (alleged) crimes were in that process.
You can't expect judges to give up their "Tee times."
Ask AG Fitch about this case - her best bud is the Executor of the Mississippi Bar!
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