Several Black patrons are coming ahead after their desires of homeownership in rural Georgia shortly turned to nightmares.
Marlena Barnett – a Black girl – is being accused of promoting land she didn’t personal in what was marketed as a resort neighborhood the place patrons might construct the whole lot from cabins to trip townhomes on acres of land.
Alleged sufferer Bonnie Hunt, claims she was a sufferer of Barnett after she invested 1000’s of {dollars} and obtained a deed that she couldn’t file as a result of Barnett didn’t personal the land.
Black Woman Accused Of Scamming Black Buyers In Georgia With Fraudulent Land For Sale And Fake Deeds
Several others declare they have been scammed out of their cash below comparable circumstances. Barnett allegedly collected 1000’s of {dollars} for plots of land that she didn’t personal and is now struggling to pay the buyers again what they’re owed.
According to Barnett, buyers have since been despatched a refund request kind and she or he’s began issuing refunds to these people.
However, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office is now launching a legal investigation into Marlena Barnett and the Lakes Of Summerville undertaking. Could Barnett have been promoting nothing greater than desires? Or might there be extra to the story?
The Shade Room investigates…
The rollout appeared promising sufficient: the primary promising Black woman-owned subdivision within the nation, power environment friendly houses sitting on a whole lot of acres of land.
Fishing ponds, bike trails, and even a clubhouse, the undertaking promised.
There was even a ribbon chopping.
Victim Says She Was Sold On The Idea, Lost Thousands Of Dollars In Investments
A YouTube video that breaks down the prices confirmed modular houses beginning as little as $180,000. The undertaking additionally added that it might generate earnings from trip rental properties.
Bonnie Hunt was bought on the concept.
“I wanted to have something for the kids, for my family, to get a cabin so we can get away from all the noise (of the city),” Hunt instructed TSR Investigates‘ Justin Carter. “I initially paid a downpayment of $1,000 and a week later I paid another $6,500, so in total I paid about $7,500 for an acre of land.”
In Nov. 2021, she even signed a basic contract, and stated she lastly bought the deed in Aug. 2022.
Hey #NoteddTribe! It’s by no means too early to begin planning for future holidays, regardless of how far-off they could appear.
Check out these plans for first Black woman-owned resort communities in Georgia
“Lakes of Summerville”.Click the hyperlink in our bio to learn extra! #staynotedd pic.twitter.com/LJx9L4V6dR
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“That’s when we found out about the deeds, and that she didn’t own the land. That’s when all hell broke loose.”
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The Shade Room Speaks To Marlena Barnett, Asks Her About The Accusations
The Shade Room referred to as up Marlena Barnett – the chief and mind behind Lakes of Summerville to ask her in regards to the accusations.
“We wanted the the project to be completed with within a 12-month span, but unfortunately that did not happen,” Barnett stated. “Unfortunately when you’re trying to do a big project like this and you don’t have all of the financial resources and you can’t unite and bring everyone together, you do run up against issues.”
But right here’s the place it will get difficult. Barnett pocketed 1000’s of {dollars} for plots of land that she technically didn’t personal.
Per an area newspaper, a lot of the land in query is owned by a retired couple Will and Judy Hair, who in keeping with courtroom information agreed to promote the land to Barnett for $490,000.
#marlenabarnett https://t.co/pcgM3DQQct
— I GOTreceipts🇺🇲 (@igotreceipts2) March 8, 2023
The Hairs declare Barnett by no means paid, and so they finally pulled out of the deal.
Company That Owned Part Of The Land Says Barnett Never Made Any Payments On The Land
Another firm, CMJM, owns different components of the property. Barnett supplied The Shade Room some emails between her and the corporate to get the deed transferred, nonetheless she claims county officers intervened as a result of they didn’t need Black property homeowners in rural Chattooga County.
“I reached out to (officials) several times but was discouraged to find they wouldn’t work with us,” Barnett added.
She says that stalled all progress in growth and brought about her to fall behind on funds.
But a consultant from CMJM stated Barnett by no means made any funds for the land, and is making an attempt to position the blame on different individuals, and went on to say Barnett breached their contract and fraudulently bought land to individuals throughout the nation.
Another Victim Calls Project “Ponzi Scheme,” Authorities Launch Criminal Investigation
Jacobi Thornton, one other sufferer within the rip-off, stated the entire thing was “a Ponzi scheme, and we just don’t know who to trust.”
Barnett stated the victims will likely be despatched a refund request kind, and that she has already began issuing refunds, however that a lot of the funds are unable to be recouped.
She has promised to pay buyers again over time, however some victims aren’t shopping for it.
“I don’t want a payment plan,” Hunt stated. “I want my money back in whole.”
The Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia isn’t shopping for it both, and has launched a legal investigation into Barnett and the Lakes of Summerville undertaking.