Alleged con artist's business dismissed from suit

A business partly owned by a man accused of romancing women for their money has been dismissed from a lawsuit filed in February by a female victim.

As previously reported, Beverly Hickman claims she loaned defendant Robert Horowitz tens of thousands of dollars in 2009 after he wooed her and claimed to need money for himself and for his business, defendant Senior's Choice.

Court records show that on Aug. 3 the parties filed a joint motion for partial dismissal.

The motion states the parties have reached an agreement in which Hickman agrees to drop her claims against Senior's Choice and conversely the company will drop its counterclaim.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, granted the motion on Aug. 9, ordering Hickman's claims against Senior's Choice dismissed without prejudice, court papers say.

Case background

Hickman gave Horowitz his first loan in December 2008, which he repaid in January 2009, according to the original complaint. Hickman loaned Horowitz a larger sum of money in February 2009, which Horowitz partially repaid, the suit states.

"He (Horowitz) has developed, and utilizes, a business practice for himself and for his business, Senior's Choice, in which he romances middle-aged, single women and borrows money from them to float his business, maintain his cash flow, and maintain his personal lifestyle," the suit filed Feb. 18 in Jefferson County District Court states.

On June 25, 2009, while still owing Hickman nearly $23,000, Horowitz begged her to provide him with an additional $20,000 loan, saying he would repay her by August, the complaint says.

Horowitz failed to repay Hickman after he developed a new romantic interest, she claims.

Hickman is seeking actual and exemplary damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Dana Timaeus of Timaeus & Rose LLP in Beaumont represents her.

Houston attorney Michael Burg represents Senior's Choice.

Case No. B189-398