1. 201 S. Victoriaa, South Bend, IN 46614
From 2000 to 2004, Sam and Harold are associated with 501 E. Victoria, South Bend, IN 46614. During this time, they face multiple judgements (e.g., chiropractor, auto finance, etc.), resulting in wage garnishment (Harold) and attempted wage garnishment (Sam). In Fall 2002, Sam enrolls at Indiana University (
link).
In October 2002, Michiana Anesthesia Care, P. C. takes Sam to small claims court (
Michiana Anesthesia Care, P. C. vs. Samantha L. Dowls). Sam claims the anesthesia wasn’t covered by Medicaid (
timestamp, 02:36:09).
In January 2003, Sam and Harold file for bankruptcy (
Michiana Anesthesia Care, P. C. vs. Samantha L. Dowls).
In 2004, Indiana University Employees FCU files against Samantha and wins a judgement of $516.55 plus court costs (
IU CU v. Dowls). Per Sam, this was probably due to an overdrawn account (
timestamp, 02:35:51).
2. 413 E. Ewing Ave.
Prior to August 2006, Sam claims to no longer be living with Harold, to have rented a duplex, and to be working for Liberty Mutual (
timestamp, 02:34:13). She begins her last known semester at Indiana University (
link). On August 10, 2006, Sam is served with eviction papers RE: the duplex (
Sharon Henderson vs. Samantha Dowls).
The eviction papers are served to Sam at an address also listed for Harold: 413 E Ewing Ave, South Bend, IN 46613.
Sam then tells a story of being held hostage by Harold, presumably at the E Ewing house. Sam states, “My ex-husband locked me in a room in our basement for three fucking days.” Sam claims that during this time Harold is on a drug and alcohol bender and repeatedly tortures her (
timestamp, 02:34:49 – 02:35:52).
Sam states she’s able to call for help when Harold leaves behind his cell phone. Despite a white woman being held and tortured by a black man in early 2000s Indiana, and despite her rescue by (presumably) mandatory reporters (i.e., fire and rescue, the police), Harold is never charged.
Due to highly restrictive attendance policies and being absent by virtue of being held hostage, Sam says she lost her job with Liberty Mutual. This firing, she claims, led to the eviction. While a debt collector (
Transworld Systems, Inc. vs Samantha Dowls) had reason to believe Sam was still at Liberty as of October, Liberty confirmed she was no longer employed.
Unfortunately, I was not able to find much information on the E Ewing property (i.e., whether it has a basement). It is currently blurred from Google Maps, though older pictures are available (e.g.,
link).
Per an attempted eviction hearing in November (
Superior Homes vs. Samantha Dowls), Sam and Harold are still listed as living at the E Ewing property. In this case, at least, Sam and Harold prevail.
Sam claims that the home had severe electrical problems. She cites the relevant property as being on Donald Street, though, so it’s unclear where she and Harold are living at this point or which property she’s specifically discussing (
timestamp, 02:31:44-02:34:06).
3. Separated
By February 2007, Sam tells the court she is living at 713 S. 28th St., South Bend, Indiana 46615 (
Sharon Henderson vs. Samantha Dowls). Sam will be associated with this property again in a 2017 foreclosure suit (
Wells Fargo Bank NA v. Jennifer C. Buscoe et al.)
In April 2007, Sam and Harold face a judgement over a car loan (
ScS Credit Corp vs. Samantha Dowls) (02:31:36). Harold is listed as living apart from Sam.
After repeated failures to appear, a default $6K judgement is issued against the couple. Harold’s Pizza Hut wages are garnished. Sam, though having been listed as employed by South Bend Orthopaedics, is confirmed as unemployed. The case will continue in the courts for nearly a decade.
In June 2007, Sam is taken to small claims court (
Transworld Systems, Inc. vs. Samantha Dowls). Per court filings, she is listed at 109 N Hill St., Apt. 2, South Bend, IN 46617. The suit appears to have been initiated by Aspen Dental, probably over unpaid dental bills.
Sam does not recall what the bill is for (
timestamp, 02:27:42) (i.e., “Whatever it was I didn’t have no $424”), then proceeds to conflate the suit with her later working for Aspen. She segues into having dentures made for a friend of the family and stating she doesn’t know Dr. Isam Hamati, who is cited in the suit (
timestamp, 02:28:35-02:31:56).
Like a lot of companies Sam does business with (e.g., ScS; later, Orbit), Aspen has been accused of predatory billing practices (e.g.,
link). Aspen is a franchise. In this case, Dr. Isam Hamati is the legal head of the organization, with locally registered physicians handling particular practices (or not, per certain class action lawsuits). This would then account for why Hamati is listed in the court documents.
As for the dentures and Sam’s employment with Aspen, these don’t come into play for another 7 years. It’s therefore unclear what Sam’s explanation has to do with this particular lawsuit.
Due to Sam’s repeated failure to appear, the case drags on for 8 years, before being handed over to Transworld in 2014, which specializes in collections regarding (among others) medical/dental companies.
NB: Sam will again be associated with the N. Hill St. property in 2011 (
Premier Rental Purchase) and in 2017 (
Wells Fargo,
Orbit Leasing) suits.
In February 2009, an order of protection is filed against Harold (search
site: Harold Dowls, DOB: 1972; Case #: 71D01-0902-PO-000084; see attachment).