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[mefree]

This story is now two years old:

Local attorney arrested in Gwinnett County
by Amanda Kramer - The Times-Georgian

An attorney who has a law office in Carrollton has been arrested in Gwinnett County and charged with theft of services.

Attorney Matthew Clinton Hines of Marietta was arrested March 20 by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office on warrants taken by Duluth police for theft of services, according to sheriff’s records.

According to the police report, Hines, whose age was not available, was charged with stealing $7,800 after allegedly not paying for services rendered by Halo Title Service on Maeve Court in Dacula. The incident was reported on Dec.1, 2008.

A phone call to the complainant in the case revealed the contact information listed on the report was not a working phone number.

The Duluth investigator handling the case was not available for comment Tuesday.

According to the police report, an investigator was contacted on Nov. 25, 2008, by a Gwinnett County assistant district attorney requesting police look into the allegations of theft and requested the victim forward documents to police in regards to the case.

more at http://times-georgian.com/view/full_story/3285362/article-Local-attorney-arrested-in-Gwinnett-County

Matthew Clinton Hines Timeline

1977: Date of Birth

Worked for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. in Greenville, South Carolina

Began law school

Worked with Eidson & Associates, P.C. during law school

Graduated from Georgia State University with Juris Doctorate and Masters in Business Administration.

Clerked with the Honorable Thelma Cummings Moore at the Fulton County Superior Court. This line of work consisted of reviewing documents submitted by the attorneys and advising the Judge on the proper ruling.

Rockdale Public Defender’s office (What ya bet Matt got a few referrals for Narconon out of this gig?)

Eastman & Apolinsky, LLC, Decatur, Georgia.

The Law Offices of M. Kathryn Davis

2001: Purification Rundown

2004: Route to Infinity

10/29/2004: Forms The Hines Law Firm, PC, Inc.
Agent address: 3330 Cumberland Blvd. Suite 5, Atlanta, Ga. 30339
CEO, CFO, Sec. Address: 18 Peachtree Ave. Apt. E-5, Atlanta, Ga. 30305

WISE 2006, listed in WISE directory as WISE company

1/26/2007: Renews The Hines Law Firm, PC, Inc. late, was due April 1, 2006

7/13/2007: Renews The Hines Law Firm, PC, Inc. late, was due April 1, 2007, changes addresses
Agent address: 3805 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 260, Duluth, Ga. 30096
CEO, CFO, Sec. address: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008

8/13/2007: New Hope Lending, LLC is formed.
Agent address: 3805 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 260, Duluth, Ga. 30096
Company address: 3805 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 260, Duluth, Ga. 30096
Organizer address: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008

9/24/2007: Commercial Funding, LLC is formed.
Agent address: 3805 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 260, Duluth, Ga. 30096
Company address: 3805 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 260, Duluth, Ga. 30096
Organizer address: 3805 Crestwood Pkwy, Suite 260, Duluth, Ga. 30096

09/24/2007: Count 5: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
09/26/2007: Count 4: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/02/2007: Count 6: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/05/2007: Count 16: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/10/2007: Count 9: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/12/2007: Count 2: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/12/2007: Count 11: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/15/2007: Count 8:  16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/16/2007: Count 17: 16-8-4, theft by conversion 
10/17/2007: Count 15: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/17/2007: Count 20: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/18/2007: Count 14: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/22/2007: Count 12: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/23/2007: Count 19: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/24/2007: Count 22: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/29/2007: Count 24: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/30/2007: Count 26: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/31/2007: Count 7: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/31/2007: Count 21: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
10/31/2007: Count 23: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
11/08/2007: Count 18: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
11/14/2007: Count 25: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
11/15/2007: Count 10: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
11/20/2007: Count 3: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
11/20/2007: Count 28: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
11/21/2007: Count 13: 16-8-4, theft by conversion

11/27/2007: Changes The Hines Law Firm, PC, Inc. address:
Agent address: 4124 Chattahoochee Trace, Suite 103, Duluth, Ga. 30097

12/05/2007: Count 31: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
12/05/2007: Count 32: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
12/10/2007: Count 29: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
12/10/2007: Count 30: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
12/17/2007: Count 27: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
12/18/2007: Count 33: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
12/31/2007: Count 37: 16-8-4, theft by conversion

1/3/2008: Forms Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines, LLC
Agent address: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008
Organizer address: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008
Company address: 4124 Chattahoochee Trace, Suite 103, Duluth, Ga. 30097

01/09/2008: Count 36: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
01/11/2008: Count 35: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
01/15/2008: Count 1: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
01/22/2008: Count 38: 16-8-4, theft by conversion
01/29/2008: Count 34: 16-8-4, theft by conversion

2/10/2008: Forms Hines Title Company of Georgia, LLC
Agent address: 4124 Chattahoochee Trace, Suite 103, Duluth, Ga. 30097
Company address: 4124 Chattahoochee Trace, Suite 103, Duluth, Ga. 30097
Organizer address: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008

7/1/2008: Renews The Hines Law Firm, PC, Inc. late, was due April 1, 2008, changes addresses
CEO, CFO, Sec. address: 4124 Chattahoochee Trace, Suite 103, Duluth, Ga. 30097

7/1/2008: Renews New Hope Lending, LLC late, was due April 1, 2008, changes addresses
Company address: 4124 Chattahoochee Trace, Suite 103, Duluth, Ga. 30097

8/24/2008: Changes address for New Hope Lending, LLC
Agent address: 150 Bankhead Hwy, Carrolton, Ga. 30117

9/3/2008: Amends New Hope Lending, LLC
Agent address: 150 Bankhead Hwy, Carrolton, Ga. 30117
Name and address of each Member/Manager:
Matthew C. Hines: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008
Kara Hines: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008

10/20/2008: Becomes registered agent for Narconon of Ga. with address
Agent address: 150 Bankhead Hwy, Carrolton, Ga. 30117

3/18/2009: Gwinnett County Case 09W-05078-10 filed, Warrants, State vs. Hines, Theft of services (F/m) [16-8-5]

3/30/2009: Becomes registered agent for Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Atlanta
Agent Address: 1404 Chapel Hill Lane SW, Marietta, Ga. 30008

5/14/2010: Gwinnett County Case 10-B-02692-10 filed, Accusation, State vs. Hines, 38 counts Theft by Conversion (see earlier dates)
http://www.gwinnettcourts.com/#casedetail/case:10%2db%2d02692%2d10/

9/6/2010: The Hines Law Firm, PC, Inc. is administratively dissolved

9/14/2010: New Hope Lending, LLC is  administratively dissolved

9/15/2010: Commercial Funding, LLC is administratively dissolved

9/16/2010: Hines Title Company of Georgia, LLC is administratively dissolved

10/18/2010: nolle prosequi (nol pros) on all 38 counts of Theft by Conversion

5/5/2011: Name reservation with Sec. of State for The Hines Law Firm, P.C., reservation is rejected.

5/20/2011: Gwinnett County Case 11-A-05738-9 filed, Tort, First American Title Insurance Co. vs. Hines et al.
5/25/2011: Gwinnett County Case 11-A-05738-9 Affidavits of Service - Matthew Hines and Hines Law Firm

Future
1/3/2012: Gwinnett County Case 11-A-05738-9 Discovery due
2/3/2012: Gwinnett County Case 11-A-05738-9 Motions due
2/10/2012: Gwinnett County Case 11-A-05738-9 Pretrial due

http://www.gwinnettcourts.com/#casedetail/case:11%2da%2d05738%2d9/

One could draw some conclusions from the timeline. Thanks for those who helped with it. You know who you are.

[skydog]

He is also a friend on Facebook of the Atlanta Ideal Org. and has a page entitled "Ask Attorney Matthew Hines" where he asks himself questions and then tells you how wonderful he is. The page has 98 fans. It used to be public, now you need to hit "like" to see all the wonderful things he does. These allegations of theft are new to me. He has just hired another attorney in his office, Isaac Cotto, to handle immigration law. Cotto was just admitted to practice this year; he does not appear to be affiliated with CoS as of yet.

I am surprised that the charges were dropped. Normally, the state will not drop these charges unless restitution is paid or arrangements for restitution are being made. His lawyer probably convinced the prosecutor that there are some viable defenses to the claims by the title company that should be hashed out in the civil court (where it is now).

https://www.facebook.com/Attorney.Matthew.C.Hines

http://www.hineslaw.org/

[mefree]

He is also a friend on Facebook of the Atlanta Ideal Org. and has a page entitled "Ask Attorney Matthew Hines" where he asks himself questions and then tells you how wonderful he is. The page has 98 fans. It used to be public, now you need to hit "like" to see all the wonderful things he does.

LOL!

These allegations of theft are new to me. He has just hired another attorney in his office, Isaac Cotto, to handle immigration law. Cotto was just admitted to practice this year; he does not appear to be affiliated with CoS as of yet.

That's news to me.

I am surprised that the charges were dropped. Normally, the state will not drop these charges unless restitution is paid or arrangements for restitution are being made. His lawyer probably convinced the prosecutor that there are some viable defenses to the claims by the title company that should be hashed out in the civil court (where it is now).

Your thoughts on this are greatly appreciated. I found it perplexing, especially in Gwinnett County. 

[ethercat]

Here are the documents that relate to Matthew (Mat, Matt, etc., whatever he is calling himself these days) Hines' 37 Theft By Conversion charges and the current lawsuit against him:

First, Theft By Conversion:
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-Charges.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-2010-05-14-Accusation.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-2010-06-25-TranscriptOfScheduledArraignment.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-2010-07-16-TranscriptOfScheduledArraignment.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-2010-07-26-MotionForDiscovery.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-2010-07-26-MotionToDismiss.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/10B2692-10/10B2692-10-2010-10-19-MotionForNolleProsequi.pdf

Now, Current Lawsuit:
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/11A05738-9/11A05738-9-2011-05-20-ComplaintAndSummons.pdf
http://alley.ethercat.com/storage/11A05738-9/11A05738-9-2011-06-24-AnswerOfMatthewCHines.pdf

and for your edification, here is his mug shot:

[Mary_McConnell]

OMGosh! Someones been a busy beaver in the dox dept!

These are so damning. I wonder if he was privately sanctioned by the bar association ? There are no public notices on under his name there.

[thetanbuster]

 
You are a Christmas Angel.  Time to refill my glass and giggle like a school girlwhile I read!

[mefree]

Merry Christmas!

[Mary_McConnell]

Merry Christmas indeed, lol

[skydog]

The original criminal charges were dropped on a technicality. Hines was indicted for theft of services but the state later claimed it was just plain old theft. Usually, that is not a problem but, as the prosecutor noted later, all restitution had been paid and the victim did not wish to pursue the matter.

As far as the criminal aspects of this case are concerned he may not be out of the woods. There are a number of federal banking laws that pertain to most real estate matters. After the collapse of the housing bubble, the DOJ has been going after closing attorneys for violations of these laws.

Matthew has big problems with the civil suit. The failure to record a mortgage deed is a serious ethical breach and clearly malpractice. Title insurance is designed to protect the lender in this type of transaction so Countrywide may have been paid. First American Title, upon payment of Countrywide's loss, steps into their shoes for the purpose of this suit. I am not sure what the statute of limitations is in GA regarding this type of claim, but that may be Hine's only defense to all this.

It is also interesting to note that Hines is appearing pro se in this litigation. That tells me he does not have legal malpractice insurance which would cover this type of claim.



Also of note is his request for leave of absence. He lists as one of his reasons that he will be attending an out of state "religious retreat" during some of this time. I wonder where?

In a way, I do feel sorry for this guy. He is a young man with a wife and apparently starting a family. The legal business is tough enough without being hounded for money by a blood sucking church every time you walk through their doors. He is probably being told that his only solution to his legal problems is through his religious philosophy and he is buying into whatever "mindfuck" this criminal organization is selling him.

I hope Mr. Hines is reading this and I would be happy to speak with him privately if he chooses. Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Maybe it is time for him to seek a different path.

[mefree]

Thanks for your comments, skydog.

Indeed, it would be a shame for Mr. Hines to lose his career this way. I'm sure the constant regging for the Ideal Org, etc played a part.

[Mary_McConnell]

Yews, thanks, Skydog.

Perhaps these docs which I just uploaded may be related to whatever scam he was running?

Matthew C Hines, Attorney, Narconon of Georgia, Halo Title, unpaid judgement,
http://www.scribd.com/doc/76441320

The Hines Law Firm PC a Georgia Co  Ameriquest Judgement Lien
http://www.scribd.com/doc/76441319

[ethercat]

Oh, dear.  His mugshot seems to have disappeared.  I guess I'll have to upload it to keep with the rest of the docs.

Image replaced.   

Thanks for the information, skydog.  I find myself in the unique position of reading what you have to say before I've read the paperwork, this time.   

[Mary_McConnell]

Oh, dear.  His mugshot seems to have disappeared.  I guess I'll have to upload it to keep with the rest of the docs.

Image replaced.   

Thanks for the information, skydog.  I find myself in the unique position of reading what you have to say before I've read the paperwork, this time.   

http://www.bustedmugshots.com/georgia/marietta/matthew-clinton-hines/33089932