Pierce, Thurston residents invested more than $1M into business. They now claim fraud
More than 30 Pierce County residents said they collectively contributed over $1.2 million to a California-based business that invests in personal-injury lawyers, enticed by the pitch that they’d stand to make a lot of money with virtually no risk.
The business, Creative Legal Fundings in CA, allegedly reneged on an agreement to return the residents’ money, reportedly because the funds were under investigation for money laundering, according to a recently filed lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court.
Now, 32 plaintiffs — most residing in Pierce County — are suing Creative Legal Fundings in CA, accusing the Sacramento-based business of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and other claims. In a civil lawsuit filed April 5, the plaintiffs seek to recoup their money and be awarded damages and legal fees in an amount to be determined.
In total, 33 Pierce County residents make up 29 plaintiffs in the case. Three other plaintiffs reside in Skagit, Snohomish or Thurston counties, court records show.
The suit names Maria Dickerson, a.k.a. Dulce Pino, as a defendant. Pino, who’s listed in a California business incorporation document as CEO and board chairperson of Creative Legal Funds in CA, did not respond to a message seeking comment through Josiah Young, her California-based lawyer, who was named as her counsel in the suit but said by phone that he was not representing her in this case.
Three other business executives are named as defendants. It’s unclear whether any of the defendants have hired legal representation in Washington.
The complaint alleges that since 2021 Creative Legal Fundings in CA — not to be confused with the similarly named but unrelated Creative Legal Funding LLC — sold itself as financially sound and promised high returns for those who contributed money to the business, which invests in “accident attorneys.”
The business, which reportedly has partners/investors in different states and countries, “took proactive steps” to market to the Filipino community, including through seminars, social gatherings and social media posts, the suit stated. The News Tribune could not find a website for Creative Legal Fundings in CA; the complaint noted that the business does not have one.
Plaintiffs contributed as little as $5,000 and as much as $200,000, expecting to be able to make monthly draws, examine business records upon request and receive their money in full within 30 days of a written request, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint alleges that plaintiffs have been denied their money’s return and from examining such records.
In September, plaintiffs were allegedly told by Creative Legal Fundings in CA that the funds were being investigated for money laundering and the business’s bank accounts were frozen, yet the business purportedly assured that the FBI and other investigating agencies had found no wrongdoing, according to the suit.
Plaintiffs started to ask questions and were kept apprised of the status of their funds through monthly virtual meetings and group emails and text messages. In some instances, Pino allegedly provided limited money from her personal accounts. In others, plaintiffs received bank receipts and wire-transfer confirmations as proof of transactions, but they were never fulfilled, the complaint stated.
Pino has made social media posts of expensive purchases and lavish trips she takes internationally and abroad, including to Las Vegas, promoting herself as a successful business person, according to the lawsuit.
Kyle Berti, an attorney based in Olalla, just northwest of Tacoma, is representing the plaintiffs.
“I think the complaint really speaks to my clients’ story, the challenges that they’ve faced trying to get back what was promised and owed to them,” he said.
