Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP is one of the nation’s largest debt collectors specializing in debt owed to public entities. The firm collects over $1 billion in government debt annually. In 2015, Linebarger was the subject of an award-winning investigative series by CNN Money, which revealed the firm’s practice of threatening debtors with arrest and jail, among other things.
Terrell Marshall, along with partners Public Justice and Iowa Legal Aid, filed a lawsuit against Linebarger on behalf of two low-income Iowans who allegedly owe court debt to the State of Iowa arising from misdemeanor cases. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit received letters from Linebarger warning that if they did not pay immediately, they could have their driver licenses revoked or they could be jailed. The letters also failed to disclose that Linebarger added a 25% collection fee to the principle debt. Plaintiffs allege that Linebarger’s letters contained deceptive information in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Iowa state law. Plaintiffs also allege that Linebarger attempted to collect a debt not owed from one of the Plaintiffs in violation of her constitutional due process rights.
If you or someone you know has received a collection letter from Linebarger related to a criminal court proceeding, we would like to talk with you about potential claims. Please let us know about your experience or call us at 206-816-6603. Consultations are free.
For more information on the lawsuit and Linebarger’s debt collection practices, you can read the complaint here and visit:
Iowa Capital Dispatch- https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2020/09/16/lawsuit-iowa-court-debt-collected-illegally-with-millions-routed-to-private-firm/
Des Moines Register- https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2020/09/18/lawsuit-iowa-court-debt-collected-illegally-millions-routed-private-firm/5825963002/
CNN Money- https://money.cnn.com/interactive/pf/debtcollector/above-the-law-summary/