In a ruling by Wayne County Circuit Court judge Leslie Smith, Detroit businessman Robert Carmack has been ordered to pay $1 million in relation to a quiet title action. The dispute, which has been ongoing for four years, stems from Carmack being accused of selling a property in southwest Detroit’s Delray neighborhood that he did not own.

In October 1961, the city of Detroit became the owner of the property at 7751 Melville Ave. Carmack had allegedly used draft documents from 2007 to fraudulently represent that he owned the land and sold it in 2016 for $1 million. The city claimed that Carmack never completed the $250,000 purchase of the property.

Carmack had previously faced charges in connection with the sale, but four of them were dropped last year. Judge Smith’s ruling stated that the language of the deed between Carmack and the city was not fulfilled, and Carmack’s arguments were deemed meritless.

The ruling also favored Moby Dick Ventures, a limited liability company in Illinois, which had purchased the property from Carmack. The company had intervened in the lawsuit and asked for the return of their $1 million investment, which the judge granted.

City attorney Conrad Mallett Jr. commended the efforts in the case, stating that Carmack committed fraud against the city and Moby Dick Ventures. The city’s top attorney also mentioned that while the ruling guarantees the return of the investment, it remains uncertain if the funds will be recovered.

The case highlights the importance of accurate documentation in property transactions, as well as the legal consequences that can arise from fraudulent representation of ownership. Ensuring transparency and accountability in real estate dealings is essential to protect the rights of both buyers and sellers.

Sources:
– Detroit News