The Bel Air lawyer accused of helping another man scam Harford County residents out of nearly $2 million in a real estate scheme may have actually been scammed himself, other alleged victims said Wednesday.
Harold “Hal” Tulley, 67, was indicted Oct. 16 for conspiracy and accessory to the theft schemes allegedly orchestrated by Michael Luby of Hebron, Md.
Harford County State?s Attorney Joseph Cassilly said several of Luby?s victims were clients referred by Tulley, who then reassured them when Luby allegedly disappeared with their money.
“Mr. Tulley hasn?t done anything as far as I?m concerned,” said Clyde Hall, a client of Tulley?s. “Luby?s just trying to drag Hal into this to protect himself.”
Tulley, who had served as Harford prosecutor in the 1970s, and Luby bought the Mariner together in 2005, and Tulley left Luby in charge of managing the motel and its finances. But Luby began taking out loans and soliciting money from investors without actually making the improvements he promised, Cassilly said.
By 2006, Tulley sought to have Luby barred from the property, and the motel went into bankruptcy.
“They?re all wrong. Hal Tulley never took a cent from the investors. Luby?s the one who ran the thing into the ground, who stole money from the hotel,” said L. Victor Ensor, who was listed in the indictment as one of Luby?s victims.
“There ain?t no victims in this case,” Ensor said. “They bought that place for $1.6 million and sold it for $3 million. All our money?s just sitting there in Virginia.”
Tulley was also listed in Luby?s indictment as a victim, but was then charged as a conspirator in eight cases of felony theft and an accessory after the fact for helping Luby avoid prosecution and arrest.
Luby was indicted in March, but was a fugitive until he was captured inVermont Aug. 29.
He is being held without bond at the Harford County Detention Center. Tulley surrendered to deputies last week and was released after posting a $50,000 bond.
