SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Two people have been ordered to pay over $7 million for an estate sale scheme that cheated families across the state, including several in Skagit County.

The state Attorney General’s Office says a King County judge found John Elliott, Shanelle Sunde and three of their companies liable for a “probates for profit” scheme.

When a person dies without a will, a court can appoint a probate administrator to redistribute their property and assets.

According to the AG’s Office, Elliot and Sunde used legal loopholes to convince courts to appoint them as estate administrators for about 200 deceased strangers between March 2019 and January 2024.

They went on to sell at least 90 estate homes worth a total of over $28 million while collecting large commissions and fees for themselves without the rightful heirs’ knowledge.

Eight of their probates were opened in Skagit County.

Elliot was also found to have taken or sold several expensive items from the estates, including a Jaguar sedan, a Rolex, jewelry and firearms,

On top of the hefty fine, the court also issued a permanent injunction to prohibit the two from acting as probate administrators in the future.