Former girlfriend sues over ownership interest in home

GRETNA – The alleged former girlfriend of a married man is suing him over allegedly lying to her about transferring half of home ownership before they broke up.

Patricia B. Benitez filed suit against Gregory R. Buck in the 24th Judicial District Court on Sept. 11.

Benitez alleges that she was in a relationship with Buck off and on, while he was married to Kathrine Vogt Buck, from December 2010 until July 2014. The plaintiff contends that in 2012 their relationship deteriorated due to the defendant's misrepresentations concerning his relationship with his wife, failing to finalize divorce proceedings and other disagreements after which the plaintiff moved out of their shared home for a time. However, in August 2012 Benitez asserts she agreed to move back in with Buck if he agreed to finalize his divorce proceedings and also provide a quitclaim deed transferring half ownership in his home located at 405 Bateleur Way in Covington, which he had just recently purchased, to her.

The plaintiff claims that after she moved back in with the defendant he said half of the home had been transferred to her ownership. She began making mortgage payments and the two opened a joint bank account, the suit claims.

Benitez further alleges that in late 2012 or early 2013 Buck became unemployed and she became the sole breadwinner in the household paying for all expenses, including the mortgage and child support payments for Buck. The plaintiff contends that after the defendant went back to work he did not offer to pay her back for the extra money she had expended over that period of time.

In mid July 2014 Benitez asserts that she confronted Buck again about his marital status, her half ownership of the home and their financial status and he reacted aggressively by allegedly physically, verbally and emotionally abusing her. On July 26 the plaintiff claims that the defendant forced her to leave their shared home and made her sign a document saying that she would reimburse him for expenses. Only after moving out of the home Benitez alleges she found out that Buck had never transferred half ownership of the home to her.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract, detrimental reliance, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and fraud.

The plaintiff requests the court declare the previous agreement she signed regarding reimbursement for expenses be judged null and void.

Benitez is represented by Warren Horn of New Orleans-based Heller, Draper, Patrick, Horn & Dabney LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Scott U. Schlegel.

Case no. 742-254.