Man claims daughters withdrew $82K from account without consent

A Bellwood man is suing his two daughters and a bank over allegations of fraud stemming from his late wife's money.

Walter T. Murrell filed suit Feb. 13 in Cook County Circuit Court against Stephanie D. Brown, Sheila Williams and First Merit Bank.

According to the complaint, Murrell, 81, attempted to collect his deceased wife Alma's assets following her June 29, 2014 death. He claims Alma had deposited $100,000 into a shared account at First Merit Bank, and he put both his daughters’ names on the account as alternate owners to ensure they would have access to it if he was rendered incapable.

The suit alleges Brown and Williams withdrew and transferred funds from the account for their own use without their father’s knowledge or consent during summer and fall of 2014. Murrell claims his daughters knew he was in a weakened state following Alma’s death and took advantage of him. They also have refused to return the funds, the suit claims.

Murrell seeks exemplary damages, injunctive action and judgment against his two daughters in the amount of $82,762.44, plus interest, attorney fees and costs. He is represented by attorney R. Daniel Lyons.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2015L001665.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and represents only one side of the story.