Status hearing set in U.S. Money Reserve fraud suit

A notice of status conference has been filed in a suit alleging a customer purchased and received gold coins and fraudulently tried to a secure a chargeback on his credit card.

As previously reported, U.S. Money Reserve, doing business as U.S. Rare Coin & Bullion Reserve, filed suit against defendants USPI, George Menier and Joseph Rainer on Aug. 13 in Jefferson County District Court.

The notice of status conference was filed May 19, tentatively setting an oral hearing for May 26.

The issues to be addressed at the hearing are defendant's special appearance; plaintiff's motion for sanctions; and plaintiff's motion for alternative service on defendants Jeremiah Rainer and U.S. Gold & Silver, court papers say.

Court records show Menier purchased coins from U.S. Money Reserve. After acquiring them, he "fraudulently denied he received the coins and attempted to secure a chargeback on his credit card."

"When Menier's ... schemes did not work, he enlisted the help of defendants USPI and Rainer," the suit states. "Defendants ... all attempted to fraudulently secure a charge back even though the coins were never returned."

The plaintiff is seeking exemplary damages for the defendants' alleged fraud, plus attorney's fees.

U.S. Money Reserve is represented by Beaumont attorney Glen Morgan, a partner at the Reaud, Morgan & Quinn law firm.

The defendants are represented in part by Houston attorney Kathleen of the Henke Law Firm.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is presiding over the case.

Case No. A187-564