The owner of Lake League Real Estate, Melissa Curtis, has filed a lawsuit against local developer and chairman of the Cullman County Tourism Bureau, Jeff Tolbert, for allegedly terminating a partnership agreement for the future development of a high-end resort on Smith Lake after Curtis, according to the lawsuit, rejected Tolbert’s unrequited romantic advances.

Tolbert faces multiple allegations in both his personal and professional capacity including fraud, breach of a partnership agreement, infliction of emotional distress and assault according to the lawsuit filed in Cullman County Circuit Court Dec. 31, 2024.

According to Curtis’ complaint, Tolbert promised more than $10 million in commissions and returns to handle real estate negotiations for a sprawling 21,000-acre, luxury resort to be located on Smith Lake. The complaint states that the two entered into a verbal agreement and that Curtis was introduced to community leaders, investors and the general public as a “partner” by Tolbert prior to the official formation of Smith Lake Resort LLC.

Curtis accused Tolbert of making “false and deceptive statements” to manipulate her into taking actions — including investing her personal finances into the project — which caused her real estate business to suffer financial losses until the partnership was ended.

According to the complaint, Tolbert began displaying his attraction to Curtis during a trip to Big Cedar Lodge, located in Ridgedale, Missouri, shortly after their initial meeting in September 2023 as an opportunity for Tolbert to show Curtis his vision for the Smith Lake project.

Curtis claimed Tolbert handled all the travel and booking arrangements for the trip and upon arrival discovered that Tolbert had booked a single room with only one bed.

The Times is awaiting a response from Big Cedar Lodge to confirm the alleged details of the accommodations.

Curtis said she immediately rejected a romantic advance and demanded that the two return home the following morning.

Curtis said Tolbert’s behavior continued upon their return to Alabama.

In addition to sending her “unsolicited pictures,” Curtis said Tolbert would frequently invent “supposed business reasons” to discuss with her in her home which caused her to begin staying at another location farther away.

Curtis also claimed her reputation as a realtor and as member of the community was damaged by Tolbert’s claims that the two were romantically involved despite the fact that he was married at the time.

Curtis said she had been advised against speaking publicly in regard to the complaint during a phone call with The Times on Friday, Jan. 3, and her attorneys did not immediately respond to messages left by The Times.

Tolbert denied Curtis’ allegations when reached by The Times on Friday and said he planned to file a counterclaim against Curtis for the intentional defamation of his character.

“It’s all false,” Tolbert said. “There’s two sides to every story and I will put my reputation up any day.”

Curtis is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for all six allegations in amounts to be determined by a jury.

During a follow up phone call, Tolbert’s attorney, Daniel Wolter, said he was pleased with the decision to present the claims to a jury after initial conversations he had with members of Curtis’ counsel.

“This all arose because Jeff decided to go in a different direction with the respect to the real estate aspects of these developments. Ms. Curtis was not happy with that and after Jeff rejected some ridiculous and incredibly unreasonable demands she filed this lawsuit,” Wolter said. “I feel confident that we can prove that the allegations are completely false and clear Jeff’s name from any wrongdoing.”