Corey Ferraez is a free man after prosecutors gave him a nice plea bargain deal.
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| Credit: Hattiesburg Patriot |
JJ reported on June 23, 2025:
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.
The case was assigned to the Madison-Rankin District Attorney after the Hattiesburg attorney was recused and his replacement prosecutor withdrew from the case. Special Circuit Judge Forrest Johnson presides over the case.
Assistant District Attorneys Scott Rogillo and Ashley Allen filed a motion to allow Ferraez to plead guilty to counts III and IV of the indictment:
Count III: The indictment charges Corey embezzled $5,767 in attorney's fees paid by a client, Joseph Pecanty. Although the money was allegedly owed to his former law firm, Corey allegedly deposited the money into his own bank account instead of one belonging to the firm as he was supposed to under the settlement agreement.
Count IV: While working at his former law firm, HMF, Corey represented Marquita Estes in a personal injury lawsuit and bankruptcy petition. The bankruptcy trustee allegedly paid $10,000 out of the Estes estate to Corey for all fees owed to HMF. The indictment charges Corey with embezzling the money by depositing the money in his own bank account instead of passing it on to HMF.
The two counts are misdemeanors. The prosecution withdrew counts I & II which covered the alleged embezzlement and fraud in the Vaughn case and were felonies.
Clad in a yellow jumpsuit, a handcuffed Corey Ferraez strode into the courtroom and sat down next to his attorney, Scott Schwartz.
Judge Johnson decreed Ferraez was a free man as he gave him credit for time served in jail. The Court revoked the defendant's bond in December after he went to a treatment facility in Alabama without notifying the Court nor seeking its permission.
Kingfish note: A disappointing end to a disappointing case. Wonder why there is so much corruption in Mississippi? Just look at this case. There was no notice of the hearing in the docket and the motions were filed right before the hearing this morning, effectively preventing the public from having notice of the hearing. Out of sight, out of mind, right.
10 comments:
Sharks protecting their own.
That's really not his color, he seems more like a fall.
Can Mr. Ferraez return to practicing law?
stinks
What a shame!!!
Mississippi Catch and Release. Get yours either at the MDWFP or at the Mississippi Bar!
Someone must have ponied up the cash to make the victims whole. I doubt this would have happened had that not been done.
We'll see how well Corey demonstrates his rehabilitation going forward.
We live in a clown world. Truly.
Aw. Isn't that nice? Looks like he can get back to his antique trinkets show or whatever that was. Just as long as he remains disbarred. Oh--and don't forget the civil suits. Those are a long ways from over. Too bad he's likely going to abscond to another country before those ever make it to judgment. I hear Venezuela doesn't have an extradition treaty with the U.S. (the irony in light of recent events). Enjoy your freedom con man. May your victims get actual justice at some point.
What about the case against Jace?
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