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Former NBA player Josh McRoberts has filed a lawsuit alleging that his late grandmother, Carolyn Pennington, who suffered from dementia, was manipulated into signing over ownership of the family's historic Indiana property shortly before her death.
According to a complaint filed on June 1 in Boone County, Indiana, McRoberts is acting as fiduciary for Pennington's estate. Pennington died on May 6, 2026, at the age of 85. The lawsuit centers on a seven-acre property in Zionsville that has reportedly remained in the family for more than 150 years.
Court documents state that Pennington faced financial difficulties and turned to McRoberts for help maintaining the property. The former NBA player, who spent time with teams including the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, allegedly invested more than $1 million into the estate in 2025 to pay off the mortgage and fund repairs. The filing claims Pennington was determined to keep the property within the family.
The lawsuit alleges that neighbors Jon and Sarah Sampson had sought to purchase the property for years, despite Pennington repeatedly refusing to sell. Attorneys representing the Sampsons have denied the allegations, stating that their clients strongly dispute the claims and intend to respond publicly at an appropriate time.
According to the complaint, Pennington moved into an assisted living facility in October 2025 after her health deteriorated. Medical evaluations reportedly indicated she was suffering from dementia. During her stay, family members, including her daughter Jennifer McRoberts, visited regularly.
The lawsuit claims that while Jennifer was away on a planned five-day vacation in April 2026, Sarah Sampson removed Pennington from the assisted living facility and housed her at another residence. The filing further alleges that Pennington was isolated from her family during this period.
On April 29, Pennington was taken to the hospital after experiencing worsening health issues. The complaint alleges that while hospitalized, she was presented with legal documents transferring ownership of the property to the Sampsons for $750,000, an amount the estate claims was significantly below market value. The lawsuit further alleges that Pennington lacked the mental capacity to understand or approve the transaction and was vulnerable to undue influence.
The filing seeks damages and asks the court to invalidate the property transfer. PEOPLE has reached out to the parties involved for comment, and the allegations remain unproven pending legal proceedings.
