Health concerns keep McConnell Hancock from court appearance

1/3/2008

Attorney Karyn McConnell Hancock, who fabricated a story that she was kidnapped and who is suspected of embezzling clients money, did not appear in Lucas County Probate Court today because of medical concerns surrounding her pregnancy.

Ms. McConnell Hancock was scheduled to testify in a concealment of assets hearing. She and a former client, Steven Coley, were named as defendants in the case.

Attorney Jerry Phillips asked that the hearing be continued until Ms. McConnell Hancock is in better health. Judge Jack Puffenberger set a Jan. 24 hearing date.

Mr. Coley testified that he was not aware of the more than $128,000 worth of checks that were supposed to go to his three cousins from their father s insurance company. His uncle, Rodney Coley, was murdered in February, 2006.

Mr. Coley, 24, said in response to questions from attorney Sarah McHugh and Judge Puffenberger that he trusted Ms. McConnell Hancock to handle the affairs of his uncle s estate. He added that he knew Ms. McConnell Hancock because another uncle had worked with her in the past.

Three checks from Fort Dearborn Life Insurance in the amounts of $17,741.95 and three checks from State Farm Insurance in the amounts of $25,138.95 were cashed last year.

Ms. McHugh, who was named guardian of the estates, said that Huntington Bank has said it will reimburse the forged checks.

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