MADISON COUNTY — A former Centralia attorney is being sued in Madison County Court by a couple claiming he represented them in an auto crash lawsuit and then left Illinois with their settlement money.

According to a lawsuit filed July 13 by Denise and Valjean Lueking, Jack S. Paker represented them in a suit filed in Clinton County Court against Julia Bumgarner for injuries they suffered in a 2015 vehicle crash.

The case was settled in 2017 for $25,000, which was reportedly Bumgarner’s policy limit. A check for that amount was submitted to Parker on March 16, 2017, from Bumgarner’s insurance company.

However, the Lueking’s claim that despite frequent demands, Parker “refused to account to the plaintiffs for that $25,000,” or to pay them any part of that settlement.

The Lueking’s claim that Parker then left Illinois without notifying them and without providing a forwarding address. He was ultimately located in Natchez, Mississippi on June 8.

According to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Parker has no longer authorized to practice law in Illinois and has not been registered since 2019.

The Luekings are seeking a $100,000 judgment in their case.