April 11 trial scheduled for ex-lawyer over deed
2/18/2011A former Sylvania lawyer disbarred just before being charged for allegedly falsifying a deed had an April trial date set in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Linda S. Cook appeared in court Wednesday, more than 3 1/2 years after being indicted. Judge Gary Cook, no relation, set an April 11 trial date.
Ms. Cook was indicted July 18, 2007, by a Lucas County grand jury on one count each of tampering with records and theft from an elderly person or disabled adult. But the case was put on hold after Lucas County prosecutors appealed Judge Cook’s decision that dismissed the tampering charge because of the statute of limitations.
The 6th District Court of Appeals reversed the decision in September, 2009. In late December, the Ohio Supreme Court agreed that the original charge should be reinstated.
In addition to charges that she falsified the deed to an elderly client’s farm in July, 2001, Ms. Cook is charged with theft from the elderly for allegedly transferring the property to herself before giving the farm to her client’s church as she was instructed to do. The transfer allowed her to take charitable deductions for the gift.
If convicted of both offenses, she faces up to 15 years in prison.