Protecting the Integrity of the Notarial Act: Lessons from the Buncombe County Real Estate Fraud Case
In North Carolina, the role of a notary public is to serve as a disinterested witness and a gatekeeper against fraud. When that trust is violated, the consequences are severe—not just for the victims who lose their homes, but for the professionals involved. A significant multi-year investigation by Notary law enforcement agents with the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office recently concluded with a powerful reminder that no one is above the law. Robert P. Tucker II, a 63-year-old attorney, has been sentenced to a minimum of 48 months and a maximum of 70 months in prison. The Scheme in Buncombe County Tucker was convicted of felony Obtaining Property by False Pretenses and Conspiracy to Obtain Property by False Pretenses . The investigation revealed a sophisticated scheme where Tucker and two other defendants conspired to strip victims of their homes by filing fraudulent property records and court documents. What makes this case particularly striking is that the victims inc...