HOUSTON – A Harris County organization alleges that a Houston attorney failed to give it proper legal advice and as a result, it lost tax-exempt status on three properties it owns.
Elfarouq Foundation filed a complaint on May 15 in the Harris County District Court against Michael Saegert alleging violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that it retained the services of defendant to obtain reinstatement of tax-exempt status of three of its properties located in Houston. It claims the defendant was unable to assist on any of the legal matters or render advice regarding all the issues surrounding their legal matters, and the plaintiff lost the tax-exempt status and had to pay ad valorem taxes, penalties, interest and attorney's fees for the three properties.
The plaintiff holds Saegert responsible because the defendant allegedly gave it improper legal advice, failed to attend hearings and trials and failed to timely and properly apprise the plaintiff of important facts.
The plaintiff seeks forfeiture of all attorney's fees charged by the defendant, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, and for all such other and further relief deemed entitled. It is represented by Michael T. Sprague of Sprague & Diamond PC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2018-32562