A property developer accused of faking his own death after blowing a million dollars of a partner’s cash on a jet-set life is being investigated by police in Texas.
High-living Brett Detamore, 38, was feared dead after his burned-out vehicle, a USD 100,000 Dodge Ram TRX pickup truck, was found in Harris County last June.
When he was found later at a bus stop and returned to his family in Houston, police celebrated the happy ending.
Relieved police said at the time: “Brett Detamore has been found and has reunited with his family.
“At this time, we kindly request the privacy of the family to be respected.”
Now it has emerged that Detamore is being sued by investor Zaffer Syed, who claims the property developer blew a fortune of his cash.
In a million-dollar lawsuit filed on 4th October, he says Detamore pretended to be dead after spending all his money on a VIP lifestyle.
Syed says Detamore blew the fortune on jet-setting holidays, VIP tickets to the Super Bowl and the World Series, on two luxury homes and on a fleet of cars.
One of the motors, a luxury SUV Cadillac Escalade, even had the tell-tale licence plate ‘HIDEIT’, says Syed in the writ filed in Harris County District Court.
Syed is suing Detamore for fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, theft, and negligent misrepresentation.
The suit alleges: “Brett Detamore’s lavish lifestyle included attending major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, World Series games, meet and greets with athletes, and other high-dollar events.”
It goes on: “Brett Detamore jet-setted around and stayed in luxurious hotels and resorts.
“Additionally, he bought and drove an expensive Dodge Ram TRX truck, Cadillac Escalade, and had a second home in Galveston worth over a million dollars.”
Syed’s suit says Detamore’s “HIDEIT” plate was rubbing investors’ noses in “his ability to defraud innocent victims”.
The writ says the cash was given to Detamore so they could both share in the profits of an estate of new homes.
It spells out: “In reality, the defendant misappropriated and stole much of the cash that was supposed to be used to complete the construction of the homes.”
The police are now also investigating Detamore’s mystery disappearance and have subpoenaed his financial and phone records.
They now say it would “appear that Brett’s disappearance was pre-planned” but refuse to give further details.
Detamore’s family lawyer Christian Ellis told local media: “The events of the last few months have been tragic and, unfortunately, the subject of much public speculation and rumour.
“Many false allegations have been made and the Detamore family, including their young children, have suffered as a result.”
He added: “Mr Detamore is getting the help he needs, and the entire Detamore family requests privacy at this time.”
The investigation and civil case are ongoing.
