Meet the man who sued the only two family members willing and able to help him! Jake and Jill Beck bought his old, run down house and provided a right for him to stay in that home. After living in the home free for 10 months he later sued the Becks alleging that they tricked him into the sale of his home. A home they in fact did not want if he wasn't in it, and apparently neither did he.
Let's dive deeper into Leol's lies, the attempted cover-ups, and the testimony and evidence which show his true character.
The man whom the court referred to as:
A mean 'Son of a Bitch'.
The Living Arrangement
See the document that was created by Leol's attorney - and at Leol's request - which guaranteed Leol a right to occupy his own home forever, and free of any mortgage payment.
Download Leol's Affidavit
Read the beginning of Leol's lies as he provided written documentation to his free attorney that was false or misleading. Then, read details below debunking his many, many lies.
Leol's Shocking Bill of Sale
How to loose your own court case: Make up a fake story that can easily be disproved by a single piece of paper! With a dated signature showing this was done months beforehand.
Why Didn't Leol Settle This?
Contrast his statement against ours, and you'll see the truth and our desire to settle, including transferring the house back to Leol or selling it and split proceeds.
The value and condition of Leol's property
A crucial aspect of his lawsuit, Leol stated many times that his property was worth much more than the Becks paid, and that the property is in "Excellent" condition. Let's take a look at this property, and listen to Leol's lies in the court room.
Leol often inflated the value by several tens of thousands of dollars. Surprisingly, his own attorney Jim Gallagher corrected Leol's response (and even an appraiser who had seen the house) noting that calling the property "low to average condition... would probably be a kindness.
This is the property that Leol referred to as being in "Excellent" condition! Click to view larger size image.
Leol's son's abandoned him after a family argument.
Many times through this lawsuit, Leol and his attorney glossed right over the catalyst event that led to the purchase of Leol's home - His sons left him in the home without food, financial help, or transportation. Just a few examples include:
-
"In September of 2016 family members who had been living with and caring for Plaintiff moved out". Page 2 Paragraph 15 of Complaint.
-
"In September of 2016 a number of family members who had lived with [Leol] and cared for him moved out of his home." Page 2Paragraph 3 of Attachment
-
"In September of 2016, a number of family members (not party to this lawsuit) who have lived with and cared for [Leol]... moved out of his home." Page 1 Paragraph 2 of Leol Mediation Statement.
What Leol seemingly ignores is that the only reason we stepped in to help his was a direct result of his immediate family members, John Corson, Joseph Corson, and Elizabeth Perrello abandoned him without the means to pay bills, receive care, transportation, or the ability to get food. In fact, John purged the house panty and fridge when he left the home. But he ignored the fact that he could have sued John for elderly abandonment.
<-- Click to view a larger image
This is signed proof that Leol's sons left him suddenly.
If Leol wanted to, he could sue his son John for elder abandonment.
Leol's long time attorney was integral in the purchase
Another critical aspect in this failed lawsuit, Leol Corson claimed that he didn't have his own independent attorney.
-
"I did not consult with or have guidance from an attorney regarding the Purchase and Sale Agreement I signed on November 12, 2016." Page 2 Paragraph 4 of Leol Corson Affidavit.
-
"[Leol] lacked independent representation by counsel and made the above-referenced transfer subject to the undue influence of the [Becks] Page 5 Paragraph 44 Complaint.
-
"These transfers were made without independent representation by counsel" Page 1 Paragraph 2 of Attachment
-
"...Was not represented by independent counsel in any of the discussions leading up to the signing of the Purchase and Sale Agreement or the Deed". Page 3 Paragraph 26 of Complaint.
-
"...and without independent counsel to [Leol] regarding this transfer. Page 2 Paragraph 1 of Leol Corson Mediation Statement
-
"[Leol] signed the Purchase and Sale Agreement on or about November 12, 2016, without review by independent counsel..." Page 3 Paragraph 6 of Complaint
-
“...therefore had no representation by counsel regarding the Purchase and Sale Agreement and no independent representation by counsel….” Page 5 Paragraph 8 of Attachment
How bold. Firstly, Leol's long time attorney Jim Gallagher testified under oat that he did in fact review this document for Leol. Here the audio proof below.
Secondly, Leol knew exactly what he was doing as testified multiple times and from multiple family members.
<-- Click to view a larger image.
Attorney James W. Gallagher (Jim) had been Leol's attorney for an extensive period. Evidence like this image illustrate Jim Gallagher was involved both BEFORE and AFTER the property transaction.
Lastly, the following emails were presented in court PROVING all of the above statements were false! Leol not only had his own attorney, but that same lawyer - Jim Gallagher - advocated that the Becks speed up their plans to purchase.
<-- Click to view a larger image.
Note Gallagher's urgency that "Leol can't wait too long".
And the date of this email was
two days before the contract to purchase Leol's home was even signed.
And then just two days after signing we have on record this email from his long time attorney, Jim Gallagher showing that he can "Ethically represent only Leol".
Lastly, here is Leol's own attorney recapping the subject during closing arguments.
Leol suggests the meeting with attorney Jim Gallagher didn't happen.
In Jim Gallagher's deposition, he initially acknowledged meeting with Leol and his family members, including one of Leol's son.
Yet on the day of trial, both Leol and Jim Gallagher conveniently could not recall this meeting having occurred.
Despite these claims of not remembering, the truth came out through so many other pieces of testimony including this first hand account and the following snippets from Leol's family members who were truthful in the courtroom.
Katie Corson Tells the Truth. Thanks Katie!
Another lie that was caught in front of the judge.
Leol has made several suggestions or implications that we "tricked" him into the purchase of his home. The trial centered largely around the documents in evidence disproving this claim. Hear his sworn testimony, under oath and penalty of purgery, saying that we somehow tricked him.
Yet when pressed further, he quickly corrected himself saying "at the time, I thought they were doing the right thing."
Leol Corson - The man who sued the only family willing to help him.
As referenced above in the audio, these were lines from Leol's deposition where he stated under oath:
Q: Do you feel that Jacob and Jill took advantage of you?
A: I wouldn't say that, no.
Q: Do you feel that Jacob and Jill cheated you out of the house?
A: No, I wouldn't say that either"... "They volunteered to buy the property."
Finally, the court ruling accurately reflects the truth in it's decision to deny Leol's claim:
This was not a secret, manipulative transaction. it took place under the scrutiny of a lawyer and multiple interested members of an extended family, all trying to solve a problem together. That everyone’s efforts were eventually frustrated by family dynamics reinforces the conclusion that the transaction itself was informed, purposeful, and free of bad faith.
For the above reasons, the court concludes Defendants have rebutted the presumption of undue influence by demonstrating that the transaction was fair and free of undue influence. Defendants did not abuse their confidential relationship with Plaintiff. They entered into a fully informed, family—scrutinized transaction that did not work as planned due to decisions made after the fact.
Throughout trial, Leol's testimony would fluctuate quite often on this issue. While sometimes reasserting these false claims, other times he would admit that these statements weren't true. At the conclusion of his testimony, the Judge asked one final time for clarification on his vague responses. Hear the audio below.
Jayson Corson and Kerstin Corson did NOT have to move in.
Leol also made many allegations that after we bought his home, that he was forced to seek out other family members to live in and provide care. He stated:
-
"As a result, [Leol] arranged for his son and daughter in law to live with him in order to receive the care and support he required." Page 4 Paragraph 31 of Complaint.
-
"...[Becks] did not move in with and care for [Leol], thereby causing him to rely on his son and daughter-in-law instead for live in support and care." Page 5 Paragraph 2 of Attachment
Over the next several days of trial, neither Leol nor his attorney could prevent the truth from spilling out. The evidence from members of Leol's family, his former attorney Jim Gallagher (of Gallagher, Villeneuve and DeGeer), and emails, texts, and audio recordings illustrated everyone knew the original plan.
This plan was simple: the Becks purchased the home in December of 2016 and would immediately move into the home. However these plans changed when Jayson and Kerstin Corson approached the Becks, asking if they could live in the house with Leol Corson. They had long desired to return to the area after being in Howland Maine, and sought to be closer to their daughter Katie Corson and their grandson.
The Beck's were the only family members willing and able to help Leol Corson in his financial crisis after John left suddenly. The Becks also were the only family who offered to help Jayson and Kerstin Corson, who had asked for assistance in a place to stay as they moved back to the area.
Leol Corson was NOT forced to leave the property.
The whopper of them all - Leol also claimed that the following inaccurate statements:
-
“Plaintiff could not remain in his home without care and was therefore forced to leave his home. Plaintiff is now living in a mobile home owned by his son and daughter in law who are providing care, housekeeping, and transportation for him”. Page 4 Paragraph 32 Complaint.
-
“I had little choice but to move with my family caretakers, Kerstin and Jayson Corson to their mobile home in Pemaquid.” Page 2 Paragraph 20. Leol Affidavit.
-
“Plaintiff… had little choice but to follow his caretakers move into their mobile home.” Page 5 Paragraph 8. Attachment.
-
"Plaintiff thereafter was forced to move out of his home in order to be cared for by his son and daughter in law, where he remains in their care at this time." Page 2 Paragraph 3 of Mediation Statement
These are absolutely FALSE in every single aspect.
-
Leol Corson could have stayed for as long as he was able to live there without medical assistance, all without ever having to make a payment again. The Becks had provided in writing to Leol a binding contract allowing him to stay in his own home, click to see the Living Arrangement Agreement.
-
Leol freely and voluntarily choose to leave his home, under the influence of his Jayson and Kerstin Corson who were living with him at the time. See Jayson and Kerstin's involvement for more details.
-
Leol chose to sue the Becks while also under the influence of this same son and daughter-in-law (who had been removed from the home for their manipulation of Leol).
-
Leol Corson had many conversations with the Beck's where they tried to talk him out of leaving his home, as it was clear that he was being unduly influenced by Jayson and Kerstin Corson into this unnecessary departure.
-
Attorney Denis Culley fought fervently to avoid our audio recordings from being submitted as evidence. Listen below to just some of the many audio clips demonstrating that Leol was not forced from his home. Or hear the full recording here.
As noted in the Court's Decision, even the judge in this matter could clearly see that Leol's best choice would have been for him to stay in his home
"...Plaintiff’s decision to leave the house rather than by their expulsion of him" and later continues "...the transaction might have proved financially advantageous to Plaintiff." Courts Decision
And finally the bombshell to disprove all of Leol's lies
We later found and presented evidence showing that Leol Corson had in fact purchased his own replacement home nearly one month before any of the eviction of Jayson and Kerstin Corson. Leol was clearly being influenced by Jayson and Kerstin Corson, as they were the only ones in Leol's ear at the time.
Hear the clip below where Leol tries to defend his purchase, stating that he only bought this house after he moved into it, despite his own documentation proving otherwise.
<-- Click to view a larger image.
This document disproves nearly ALL of Leol's false statements, and was a critical piece of uncovering the truth behind the many lies!
And when discovered, we promptly provided this proof to the Court. Leol Corson's attorney, Denis Culley, offered this reversal:
-
“Regarding ownership of the mobile home (not relevant to this matter) Plaintiff concurs with Defendants."
Page 9 Paragraph 20 of Plaintiff Objection to SJ
Why was trial necessary? Couldn't you have settled?
We would have preferred to settle, but Leol refused to do so. In fact compare Leol's mediation statement submitted August 17, 2018 to the court:
“There are no specific proposals for resolution extant at the moment…” Page 3 of Mediation Statement. Dated August 17, 2018.
Then in contrast, please compare what the Beck's submitted to the court on August 21, 2018:
“Options could include… (a) transferring the bristol property back to Leol with Leol refinancing the mortgage, either on his own or with a third-party co-signer; (b) transferring the Bristol property back to Leol with Leol assuming the mortgage debt and Jill and Jacob being released from liability thereon; (c) sale of the property and some reasonable division of the net sale proceeds or (d) settlement of any personal property claims”. Page 3 of our Mediation Statement. Dated August 21, 2018.
Finally on the day of mediation, August 23, 2018, the first words spoken by Leol's attorney were:
"Leol has no interest in getting his house back."
This left us with the creation of final settlement proposal - let's sell the house and Leol keeps 60% of the sale and he could retrieve anything left behind. Shockingly, Leol refused this offer - leading us on a path to figure out why he wouldn't want his house back.
<-- Click to view this image in a larger format.
Here is our offer of settlement, which Leol Corson and his son and daughter in law Jayson Corson and Kerstin Corson quickly refused.
It was clear they didn't want a resolution, they only wanted to create a lawsuit that was free for them, but costly to the Becks.