FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal jury awarded more than $14 million in damages Monday to a local attorney following a case involving unethical practices to recruit grieving families for legal representation after a tragic accident that claimed two lives.
The case stemmed from a November 2020 incident in which Ana Delia Mejia Flores and Flor Maribel Recinos Valle died when a tractor-trailer rolled over their vehicle in Benton County. Survivors of the victims were approached at a Springdale funeral home by individuals from Texas who were not licensed attorneys. They reportedly lured the grieving family members into signing a contract for legal representation with promises of financial aid and citizenship assistance.
Local attorney Jason Hatfield, whose initial contract with Recinos’ family had been signed just days after the tragedy, raised concerns about the legalities of the recruitment practices. Hatfield claimed that the parties involved conspired to poach clients from him and engaged in illegal tactics to undermine his representation.
During the trial, it was revealed that a key figure in the recruitment, Mike McCoy, had connections with approximately 300 independent funeral directors nationwide, many targeting Hispanic families, including those without legal residency in the U.S. Most defendants in the case reached settlements prior to the trial, leaving Tony Pirani as the only remaining defendant to contest the claims.
The jury ultimately found Pirani liable for conspiracy under both Arkansas law and the federal RICO Act—an acknowledgment that illegal activities influenced their actions. Pirani maintained that he acted without knowledge of how the recruitment contract was obtained and claimed no wrongdoing on his part.
The jury awarded Hatfield nearly $4 million under the RICO claims, a sum that is expected to be tripled, alongside additional actual and punitive damages amounting to more than $2.6 million. This could push the overall compensation to nearly $20 million when including attorney fees and expenses.
Post-verdict, Hatfield emphasized that his fight extended beyond monetary compensation. He expressed a desire to protect vulnerable families during their most difficult moments and aimed to uphold ethical standards within the legal profession.
Mark Murphey Henry, Hatfield’s attorney, remarked on the implications of the jury’s decision, underscoring the importance of ethics in the practice of law. He thanked the jury for their diligence and commitment to justice.
The case exposed significant financial improprieties, with over $24 million allegedly funneled through the scheme, funding gifts for funeral directors and covering non-transparent fees related to the contract.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks provided an overview of the case’s background, highlighting the competing contracts signed by Recinos’ family with both Hatfield and the “Nunez Law Firm,” which lacked legal authority to practice in the United States. The judge’s rulings reinforced the validity of Hatfield’s representation, deeming the Nunez contract as improperly solicited.
In a separate matter, Pirani may face sanctions related to the questionable use of artificial intelligence in drafting legal documents that included fabricated legal citations. Judge Brooks indicated potential repercussions for Pirani, including monetary penalties and a referral to professional conduct authorities.
This verdict reinforces the necessity for ethical practices within the legal profession and highlights the ongoing repercussions for those who exploit vulnerable communities for financial gain.
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