Southeast Missouri Councilmember Named in Fraud Lawsuit

A council member in southeast Missouri's Poplar Bluff is being sued over claims that he benefited from defrauding a man in a veterans home.

The (Poplar Bluff) Daily American Republic reports that Councilman Johnson is being sued along with two members of his family.

The lawsuit claims members of Johnson's family played a role in defrauding a 92-year-old former neighbor Kenneth Burke of more than $150,000 in cash and property after the 2010 death of the man's wife and his cancer diagnosis.

Johnson says he wasn't involved in any questioned interactions with Burke, and that he believes they were legal.

Burke claims he was defrauded out of his title to his home, vehicle and cash after his wife's death.