LEE'S SUMMIT, MO -- The State of Kansas has taken action against a
metro realtor exposed by Call For Action.
In June of 2008, realtors and employees of Silver Star Realty spoke out about their boss. Their complaints are getting action more than a year later.
We caught up with Robert Jones in 2008 on his way into the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors meeting. He was there to discuss ethics complaints. Employees and other realtors complained about his business conduct.
Midway through the meeting, police arrested Jones on a warrant for passing bad checks.
At the time, Linda Gill-Kelso told us, "This is the day we've been waiting for." Silver Star Realty employees hoped that arrest would put them one step closer to justice after they say Jones passed bad payroll and commission checks. A year later, they're still waiting.
The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office has only charged Jones' on two of those bad check charges so far. His preliminary hearing on the bad check charges has been rescheduled 8 times because Jones' lawyer dropped off the case and he still doesn't have a new lawyer. The prosecutor says he will move forward with the case regardless of whether Jones has a lawyer during the next hearing in December.
Consumers are getting action in Kansas. The
Kansas Real Estate Commission revoked Robert Jones broker's license for not reporting his arrest and the felony charges. The order refers to our call for action investigation.
"I was quite pleased to see that," Diane Peoples said. Peoples' filed complaints with the Kansas and Missouri Real Estate Commissions after her real estate and rehab transactions with Jones fell apart. Peoples' is glad Kansas is doing something but wonders why Missouri won't take permanent action. In 2008, the Executive Director of the Missouri Real Estate Commission told us they presume someone is innocent until proven guilty.
"Missouri hasn't acknowledged anything and that's disappointing," Peoples said.
While Missouri hasn't acknowledged Peoples' complaints, the Real Estate Commission temporarily suspended Jones' license in May for back taxes. Our investigation last June revealed Jones' tax problems. The State and Federal government have tax liens in Jackson County.
Plus, this month foreclosure paperwork was filed in Jackson County for Jones' home.
Consumers can research their broker or realtor's license by calling or searching on line at the state real estate commission.
Missouri License SearchKansas License SearchAnd if you have a problem with a realtor, make sure you file a complaint.
Those prompt investigations.
Missouri Real Estate Commission Complaint Form Kansas Real Estate Commission Complaint FormBefore you hire anyone, get references from friends and family you trust.
We called Robert Jones for comment, but he has not responded.
