A previously incarcerated man has dismissed malpractice claims he filed in Michigan federal court against attorney Tara Parker, alleging she skimmed money he received from his mother's estate.

Tara Parker Atty Settlement : Settlement Agreement Reached

In a stipulation to dismiss with prejudice dated July 1 and filed Monday, Claude Verbal II settled his suit against attorney Tara Parker and The Law Offices of Tara R. Parker PLLC, two of the remaining defendants in a broader malpractice suit Verbal first filed in March 2023. The court retains jurisdiction to enforce a settlement agreement, the filing said.

Verbal alleged Parker, another attorney named Torchio Feaster, and Feaster's firm, T.W. Feaster Attorney at Law PLLC, defrauded him of $440,000 he was owed from his mother's estate while incarcerated. He brought claims of conversion, statutory conversion, aiding and abetting conversion, civil conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty, and legal malpractice.

Claims Against Feaster Withdrawn

Verbal voluntarily withdrew his claims against Feaster without prejudice in April. In November 2023, a federal judge determined Verbal could pursue the claims despite any potential damages being directed to Verbal's victims. In 2014, Verbal was sentenced to 135 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.4 million after pleading guilty to fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns.

Tara Parker Atty Settlement : Final Defendant and Legal Proceedings

The final defendant, Willie J. Works, was reportedly an employee at Feaster's firm. In June, Verbal successfully petitioned for an entry of default against Works but has not yet moved for default judgment. On Monday, the court issued a show-cause order for why the case should not be dismissed with prejudice for failure to prosecute.

Lack of Comments from Representatives

Representatives for Verbal and Parker did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Counsel for Feaster declined to comment.

Verbal is represented by Edward G. Lennon of Lennon Law PLLC. Tara Parker and The Law Offices of Tara R. Parker PLLC are represented by Jeffrey S. Hengeveld of Plunkett Cooney PC. Feaster and T.W. Feaster Attorney at Law PLLC are represented by David C. Anderson and James J. Hunter of Collins Einhorn Farrell PC. Counsel information for Works was not available.