Monroe County Clerk of the Court Danny Kolhage says that local Attorney Gerald Adams was paid $3,972 of County money by mistake— and he wants it back, with interest.
Adams refuses to return the money and says that, if there was a mistake, it's Kolhage who is responsible.
Apparently, Judge Mark Jones signed an order in error transferring the money.
Last year, Kolhage retained Attorney Nathan Eden to try to collect the money. Eden wrote Adams a letter threatening to sue him for civil theft.
In his response, Adams, in essence, told him to shove it.
"I am somewhat confused by your letter . . . I deny that I knew the money did not belong to my client. The judge never knew, the clerk never knew, the attorney who brought the motion never knew, apparently, the only person who did know who this money belonged to is yourself.
"It would have been much easier if you would have mentioned this fact to someone prior to the money being disbursed from the Clerk's office and my office.
"While I empathize with the Clerk, it appears this is an honest mistake by the Clerk. As is often the case, sometimes the person who made the mistake has to be accountable for that mistake."
Kolhage was not amused. He has sued Adams for civil theft.
Stay tuned.