A Gillette real estate agent accused of stealing the identities of three former employees and forging their signatures to collect higher commissions pleaded not guilty Friday in Campbell County District Court.
Tami Leanne Hinson, 57, appeared in court with her attorney, Ryan Healy, and entered a not guilty plea before Campbell County District Judge James Michael Causey.
Hinson, owner of First Class Realty in Gillette, faces six felonies.She is accused of using her former employee's personal information Michael “MG” StelpflugWill Collier and Chad Fleet, and forged signatures on the sale of foreclosed real estate.
She is accused of using PennyMac Loan Services to embezzle more than $11,000 in fees from the sale of three foreclosed properties in 2017, according to court documents.
Hinson told police that because the three men were not employed by her at the time, she, as a broker, “had the right to do whatever she wanted with the information.”
She then changed her story and said that since Mr. Fleet and Mr. Collier had given her permission to use their names and she had not forged anyone's signature, they probably signed the contract themselves. says court documents.
Hinson also said the practice of using in-house agents for foreclosure sales is a “red tape” to “ensure that foreclosure companies don't pay us less for doing the same work.”
Victims seek “true justice”
All three said they were employed at the time the contract was signed and, in fact, had subsequently signed more contracts.
According to the indictment, Hinson had no employment records available to police.
Stelpflug, who attended Friday's arraignment, told Cowboy State Daily that he did not receive the $2,484 in fees that ended up in taxes.
He said he wasn't at all surprised by Hinson's plea, but thought it was still open. He looks forward to attending her trial, which has not yet been scheduled.
“For true justice to be achieved, all the facts and truth must be revealed,” Stelpflug said. “It's probably not going to happen unless there's a public forum.”
Mr. Fleet also attended Friday's arraignment. He worked for Hinson during her ten months, and he described her as a demanding boss. He said he was employed with Hinson at the time she allegedly signed his name.
He also said he would not be surprised if she were charged with these crimes.
“She's been doing shady things for a long time,” he said.
If found guilty, each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Contact Jen Kocher: Jen@CowboyStateDaily.com
