EASTVILLE, Va. — A Northampton County jury on Wednesday convicted the chief of the Accomack Indian Nation on multiple counts related to the filing of fraudulent property claims involving several well-known sites on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
After about three hours of deliberation in Northampton County Circuit Court, a 12-member jury found Lisa Renia Cypress, 61, guilty of 24 counts of maliciously filing a false lien or encumbrance in 2024.
Cypress, a registered nurse from Decatur, Georgia, had represented herself during the proceedings and denied the charges. Prosecutors alleged she filed documents asserting ownership interests in numerous properties across Northampton County despite having no legal claim.
The jury acquitted Cypress of 24 counts of conspiracy to file quitclaim deeds and three counts of soliciting others to file the documents. A separate charge alleging she violated the conditions of her bond was not prosecuted.
Court records show the disputed filings listed a wide range of prominent Eastern Shore properties, including Indiantown Park, PNC Bank in Eastville, the historic Eyre Hall Farm, the Eyreville brick house dating to 1765, parcels at Smith Beach, Hermitage Farm, land within the Bay Creek development, Bayside Village parcels, Pocahontas Farm, and the historic Cape Charles Rosenwald School.
Cypress argued during the trial that she possessed “patents of ownership” to the properties, but prosecutors said the filings were fraudulent and created potential legal and financial complications for the property owners.
Sentencing is expected to be scheduled at a later date.
Legal Terms Explained
Maliciously Filing a False Lien or Encumbrance
In Virginia, this crime occurs when a person knowingly records a document in land records that falsely claims a lien, debt, or legal interest against someone else’s property.
- The filing can cloud the property title, interfere with sales, or create legal complications.
- The law is designed to prevent fraudulent or retaliatory filings that misuse public land records.
Quitclaim Deed
A quitclaim deed is a legal document used to transfer whatever ownership interest a person may have in a property to another party.
- It does not guarantee that the person transferring the property actually owns it.
- Quitclaims are commonly used between family members, in divorces, or to clear up title issues.
- If used improperly, they can be part of fraudulent property claims.
Filing a False Lien
A false lien occurs when someone records a claim in public records stating that a property owner owes them money or that they hold a financial interest in the property when no legitimate debt or claim exists.
- These filings can damage credit, prevent refinancing or sales, and force property owners to go through court to remove the lien.
About the Author
Lisa Renia Cypress appears to be more African American than Native American. Could she possibly be lying about that too?