T
welve former agents of Success Real Estate have filed lawsuits against the company's owner, Stephen Webster, after he abruptly closed the business in December. The agents claim they are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions and personal loans, totaling over $540,000. Attorney Bob Ahearn, who represents the plaintiffs, says the case could lead to changes in real estate escrow practices.

    Webster's closure of Success Real Estate left agents without access to escrow funds, causing financial hardship for some. One agent, a former Success employee from Hanover, claims Webster owes her over $150,000. Ahearn has filed three lawsuits on behalf of the 13 plaintiffs in Plymouth courts, including a personal friend and plumber who loaned Webster money.

    Ahearn says his clients' losses come in three types: bounced commission checks, unpaid commission checks, and personal loans solicited under false pretenses. Judges have frozen Webster's properties pending final judgments, preventing him from selling business offices in Marshfield and Braintree.

    More lawsuits could be filed against Webster as additional sales are scheduled over the next few weeks, leaving potential claimants without access to escrow funds. Ahearn speculates that the case may prompt legal changes to real estate transactions, suggesting that attorneys should handle escrow money rather than brokers due to their stricter regulations.