Greedy mom-of-10 already owns stunning $1.3m mansion... but when frail heiress neighbor lay dying she couldn't resist launching scheme that has outraged genteel community, lawsuit alleges

By BETHAN SEXTON, US ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Published: 16:55, 10 June 2026 | Updated: 16:55, 10 June 2026 A wealthy mom-of-ten allegedly persuaded a frail, elderly neighbor to sell her Indiana mansion to her for a bargain price as the senior lay dying, according to a lawsuit. Zionsville councilor Sarah Sampson and her husband Jon Sampson are accused of exploiting the final moments of farming heiress Carolyn Pennington, who died last month, aged 85. The couple, who live in a $1.3 million mansion, are being sued by Pennington's family, including her grandson, former NBA star Josh McRoberts, who was named as trustee of her estate. The lawsuit claims that Sampson removed Pennington from an assisted living facility around April 10 and cut her off from her family until her death from cancer on May 6. The filing also allege that Sampson failed to notify the family of the death and had her embalmed before an autopsy could be performed. Pennington had deeded her seven-acre property to Sampson and her husband Jon for the allegedly below-market sum of $750,000 just days before she died, according to the complaint. A copy of her bequeathments obtained by the Daily Mail also reveals that Pennington gifted Sampson an antique horse-drawn school wagon known as a hack in her last days. A handwritten addition to a typed-out list of wishes states: 'I would like Sarah Sampson to have the Hack so it can be in parades,' next to Pennington's shaky initials. The Sampsons vehemently deny the claims in the lawsuit. They are being sued along with lawyer Michael Einterz, who drafted up the disputed property transfer, and his associate Erin Napier. Zionsville councilor Sarah Sampson is accused of exploiting the final moments of her next door neighbor and convincing her to sign over her property to her as the senior lay on her deathbed 'The complaint presents one side of a disputed matter. Allegations are not findings of fact and they should not be treated as such,' a statement from Einterz & Einterz Law, which is representing the attorney and Napier, reads.  McRoberts and his mother Jennifer McRoberts allege that the documents were drawn up and signed by Pennington while she was lying in a hospital bed and suffering from dementia. Einterz also not the family's usual lawyer who handled Pennington's affairs, the lawsuit states. Carolyn Pennington died aged 85 on May 6 just days after the transfer of property was signed 'Whether or not of sound mind, a prudent attorney would have contacted her physician, or recommended Carolyn undergo a mental examination before signing anything in April or May of 2026, much less while in the hospital less than a week before she died,' the lawsuit reads.  However, Einterz and Einterz refuted this account and claimed Pennington's home was valued at $594,000 by the Boone County assessor. The firm stated that Pennington had come to an agreement with a neighbor to sell off part of her trust's property in order to finance repairs after her grandson allegedly declined to purchase her home. 'At the time Carolyn agreed to sell Trust property to her neighbor, her treating physician, caregivers, and professionals believed Carolyn to be of sound mind, typical of many 84-year old patients when confronted with some memory questions, and aware of the consequences of her decisions.' Pennington's Zionsville home is located on Ford Road, which is named after the prominent farming family Pennington is descended from. The property has been in her family for 150 years and Pennington had expressed a desire to keep it for future generations, according to the filing. This allegedly included asking her grandson to pay off her $1 million mortgage to free up money for repairs, the lawsuit states. 'Josh paid this in exchange for the Ford Road property to remain in their family,' the complaint reads.  Pennington's grandson, former NBA player Josh McRoberts, is suing Sampson over the claims Pennington's Zionsville home had been in her family for 150 years and she wanted to preserve it for the next generation, the lawsuit claims But the McRoberts claim in the lawsuit that the Sampsons long had their eye on Pennington's land.  'Defendants Jon and Sarah Sampson are neighbors. For years they hounded Carolyn in an attempt to buy the Ford Road property. Carolyn and the Sampsons have never been friendly,' the lawsuit states. But it was not until Jennifer took a vacation that Sampson was allegedly able to get close to Pennington, according to the filing. While she was out of town, Pennington called the police and falsely reported that her daughter was trying to get rid of her dogs, the lawsuit states. 'By the time Jennifer returned from vacation, Sarah had taken Carolyn out of Rose Senior Living to an undisclosed location,' the filing reads. 'Sarah told Rose Senior Living that Carolyn was staying with Sarah; but this was not true.  'Sarah told the police that Carolyn had 24/7 medical care; also not true. Instead, Sarah isolated Carolyn at a separate home Sarah owned where there were no caregivers and no monitoring.' Pennington's condition deteriorated and she was admitted to the hospital, per the filing.  McRoberts is suing Sampson and her husband Jon Sampson accusing them of removing his grandma from an assisted living facility and persuading her to transfer them her home On April 30, the date the transfer was signed, medical records allegedly show that Sampson was 'speaking for' Pennington as she lay in bed, according to the complaint. Two days later, the handwritten addition was added to Pennington's list of bequeathments. Alongside requests for a 'blue ribbon' in her hair and The Stars and Stripes Forever to be played at her funeral, a declaration for Sampson to receive 'the Hack' is also included.  Einterz's associate Erin Napier witnessed the 'witnessed and notarized the disputed documents,' and is also named as a defendant according to the complaint. The scandal is a far cry from the wholesome life that Republican Sampson, 56, appears to lead. The Zionsville Town Council District 4 representative lives in a $1.3 million home neighboring Pennington's. She unsuccessfully ran for a position on her local school board and is the former Zionsville High School PTO president. Sampson received an endorsement from Parents for Accountable Schools which hailed her support of the values of 'transparency and accountability.'  However, the Boone County Democratic Party is now calling for her resignation.  The Sampsons' $1.3 million home is pictured 'If proven true, the claims in the lawsuit involve conduct unsuitable for any community member much less a town official,' the statement reads. 'While this case involves personal issues, the allegations raise significant and pressing questions about Mrs. Sampson’s capacity, capability, and qualifications to continue to represent the people of Zionsville on the Town Council.'  A representative for the council directed the Daily Mail to Sampson directly with any inquiries.  McRoberts, who previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers, states in the lawsuit that the documents his grandmother signed were not valid as she was not of sound mind. The lawsuit also references testing Pennington underwent which allegedly indicated dementia in March. Additionally, McRoberts' attorneys claim that his role as trustee of Pennington's estate makes the signings null and void.  'The Sampsons vehemently deny the allegations in the lawsuit and will be releasing a statement at an appropriate time,' the couple's attorney told the Daily Mail.  The Daily Mail has contacted attorneys for the McRoberts for comment.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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