Leary files Civil Suit Against Maselli, North American Title

In the latest twist to an already interesting saga, former Elk Grove City Councilman and Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff Mike Leary has filed a civil suit against his former girlfriend and her employer on a real estate transaction that lies at the heart of criminal charges pending against him.

Leary, who is scheduled to stand trial on criminal real estate fraud charges on September 14, filed his civil complaint against former girlfriend Alyc K. Maselli and her former employer, North American Title Company (NATC) in Sacramento Superior Court on August 20. Leary's filing was done pro per.

The 49-year-old Leary is charged with four fraud-related counts in his criminal trial, all of which stem from a property transfer dispute connected with a challenged transfer of title for a $610,000 residence at 3301 Marina Cove Circle, Elk Grove.

The two term council man was arraigned in October 2009 on charges of grand theft fraud and forgery related to the title transfer between himself and his Maselli in 2006. At the time of his arraignment, Leary was placed on paid administrative leave and fired several months later.

Leary's suit alleges that NATC, acting as an agent of Maselli "failed to exercise reasonable care in the provision of notary services provided in connection with the notarization of certain documents associated with the sale of a parcel of real property in Elk Grove to with Defendant [NATC employee] Patneaud, acting in concert with Maselli, conveyed an interest in Plaintiff's real property from Plaintiff to defendant Maselli."

Leary is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Check EGN for continued coverage tomorrow.