In the following press release on 10/9/2008, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey announced that a Prince George’s County Grand Jury has indicted Leon Thomas Coleman, 38, and Emma Coleman of the 2100 Block of Springholly Dr., District Heights, Maryland and Kathy Lynn Ridley, 45, of  Ellicott City, Maryland. The Colemans face fifty-seven counts of aggregate theft over $500.00* and various Homebuilder Act violations.* If convicted they face up to 35 years in jail.  Kathy Lynn Ridley faces 13 counts of theft and conspiracy.*  If convicted she could face up to 15 years in prison.

“We are glad that the Grand Jury decided to indict these suspects.  We want justice done for these would be home-buyers.  These suspects must be held accountable for the hardship, desruption of life and economic loss of scores of people,” commented State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey.

WUSA9 Video News Report

 The indictment stems from when the defendants Leon and Emma Coleman, through their company Opportunity Investment Group, entered into at least 11 contracts with potential homebuyers to purchase new houses to be built in the Kings Grant Subdivision.  This was a new subdivision the Colemans were developing in Prince George’s County on White House Road as it approaches Route 202.

The Colemans directed each of the purchasers to co-defendant Katie Ridley at her company, Worldwide Financial Services.  Ridley then arranged construction financing for each of the victims.  In the process, she repeatedly vouched for the competence and record of Leon Coleman, indicating she had worked with him in the past.  This was not true.

Each of the victims secured financing as arranged by Ridley, which resulted in payments to the Coleman or more than $1 million.

The Colemans did no work on the project.  No permits were pulled and no ground preparation or construction work was performed.  Leon Coleman consistently misrepresented to the victims over many months that homes would be built for them.

The Attorney General of Maryland pursued a civil complaint against Leon and Emma Coleman, ruling in favor of the victimized homeowners in 2005 and ordering the Colemans to repay the money they had obtained and to pay fines and costs.  They have not complied.

The loans held by most of the victims have been foreclosed and the victims have lost the properties and the money that they had invested.

Under the state’s home builder laws, the Colemans were obligated to place payments they receive into an escrow account separate from their personal and other funds.  They did not do this.  They are also required to hold funds in trust for the purchasers.  They did not do this.

The floor plans that the Colemans sold to the victims did not belong to him, but had been taken from another builder.

A study commissioned by the victims has indicated that a number of the lots are in a flood plain or have problems associated with wetlands.

If you have further questions or need more information please call Ramon V. Korionoff in the State’s Attorney’s Office.    

*An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceeding.