COEUR d'ALENE - The owner and operator of Coeur d'Alene business Absolute Property Management has become the target of multiple lawsuits.

Owners of rental homes and other leased properties are accusing Carrie Farrell of vanishing with deposit funds and not turning over collected rent money in recent months.

A sign posted on the front door of Absolute Property Management, located at 910 N. Third St., said the business closed July 12.

Absolute managed property for dozens of property owners, which included more than 150 properties.

An employee of Farrell's at Absolute, Alicia Myers of Coeur d'Alene, was at the office Monday and referred questions about the lawsuits to Coeur d'Alene attorney Richard Kuck.

Myers declined to comment about the business closing and the accusations against Farrell and Absolute.

"It's not my place," she said.

Representatives at Kuck's office on Monday said he wouldn't comment.

One property owner, Los Angeles-based movie executive Nicholisa Contis, said Farrell and Absolute managed three duplexes in Coeur d'Alene on 13th Street for her for several years.

"She's had some bumpy moments, but it's always been workable," Contis said.

But since May, Contis hasn't been able to contact Farrell.

At first, "I figured she was just busy," Contis said.

On July 11 or 12, Contis said she was told all the money was gone at Absolute, and none of the property owners would be getting paid.

"I don't know who took off with all the money, but there was a lot of money to be taken off with," Contis said. "People are at an absolute loss right now."

Contis is owed $25,000, maybe more, she said. She hasn't been paid for deposits or rent on the properties, and Contis said she confirmed that Absolute collected the money from tenants.

Farrell was highly recommended "by other people who own properties out there," Contis said.

Contis has called police, prosecutors, real estate agents and others for help. The property management industry in Idaho is unregulated.

Contis plans to file a lawsuit soon against Farrell and Absolute.

Property owner Andrew Rosenberg filed a lawsuit on July 29, alleging he's owed $6,250 for rent on his properties. That includes deposits he said Farrell took off with.

Rosenberg's attorney, Daniel Sheckler, of Coeur d'Alene, said Monday, "It's really unfortunate what happened and we'd really like a chance to make it right."

Like many others, Sheckler said he has been trying to find Farrell.

Rosenberg's lawsuit also lists an unnamed accountant as a defendant in the case.

Farrell failed "to take reasonable measures when she discovered her accountant may be the reason for the misappropriation of funds," according to court documents.

Rosenberg's loss "was one of the many reasons Absolute Property Management let go of its accountant," documents said.

Last week, property owner Jamie Stewart, of Rupert, Idaho, filed a lawsuit against Farrell and Absolute. Stewart's claim against Farrell is for $3,775.

Stewart, on Monday, said she is owed for money generated by a Bayview house she owns and Absolute has managed.

Last summer, Stewart said rent payments for the home started showing up late. A few months later, Stewart had to chase the payments down.

Now it's time to go to court, she said.

The people who live in the home have receipts showing their payments are up to date, she said.

"My concern is just getting the money the tenants paid," she said. "I fear she's probably left the area. Nobody can find her."

Last week, Farrell was due in 1st District Court in Coeur d'Alene for another lawsuit, this one filed by Pamela Wagner.

Neither Farrell nor her attorney showed up in person to that hearing.

Farrell didn't return an email message from The Press seeking comment.

While Farrell might no longer be in Coeur d'Alene, she might be in another lake city.

Farrell opened a restaurant in Soap Lake, Wash., last year. But the Sundial Bistro, as it was called, closed after just more than a year of operation earlier this summer. The Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce website lists Farrell as its president.