Gainsville, GA, May 12--Bond had not been paid late Tuesday for two men accused of racketeering in connection with an alleged flooring scam, according to the Gainsville Times.
Cornelius C. Martin, Jr. was booked Saturday into the Hall County Detention Center. His son, Cornelius C. Martin III, 25, was booked Tuesday.
The older Martin is being held on a $100,000 bond. A $50,000 bond was set for his son. Both men remained in the Hall County Detention Center as of Tuesday night.
They are charged with racketeering in connection with activities at Beaver Flooring on Calvary Church Road.
In a warrant for the Martins, Hall County Magistrate Elizabeth Reisman said they "unlawfully, through a pattern of racketeering, did acquire, directly or indirectly, an interest in funds of various victims."
Reisman said the Martins are accused of defrauding multiple victims across the United States of more than $1 million.
A hearing was set for 9 a.m. May 25.
Lt. Jeff Harris of the Gainesville Police Department said city officers assisted in serving a search warrant Monday morning at the Martins' company.
But Harris said city police only were helping investigators with the Georgia Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs.
Cornelius Martin Jr. faces other legal problems in Hall. On Dec. 3, 2003, Evelyn Coleman accused him of defaulting on a $60,000 note issued June 28, 2002.
According to court records, Martin, in a deed dated July 3, 2002, bought land from Coleman off Dawsonville Highway near Lake Lanier.
On Nov. 26, 2002, he transferred the title to Yvonne and Brandy Martin. Then on Dec. 29, 2003, his name again was added to the title along with both women.
The younger Martin has been in the court for a different cause: On May 6, Cornelius Martin III petitioned to change his name to Yisrael Ben-Abiri for "religious reasons."
