L.A. City Attorney Files Forgery, Grand Theft Charges In Alleged Refinancing Scam That Left One Couple Facing Foreclosure

In Los Angeles, California, The Daily Breeze reports:

• The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office announced Tuesday it has filed criminal charges against five real estate and loan brokers who allegedly refinanced a Harbor Gateway couple's mortgage with forged documents, ripping them off and putting them in jeopardy of foreclosure.

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• For the Armijos, life changed in January when they received a "cold-call" from John DiBona, 22, a loan consultant for Liberty One Financial Group in Van Nuys. [City Attorney Rocky] Delgadillo said DiBona, working with sales director Layne Nocera, 53, offered the Armijos a refinancing plan that seemed like a good deal.(1)

• The Armijos, who had no trouble making their $2,600-a-month mortgage, took the bait and applied for a plan that ended up giving them a higher payment, Delgadillo said. Soon, they received a $7,000 property tax bill they never expected, Michael Armijo said. When they looked into it, they learned their signatures had been forged on loan documents and that their income and assets had been changed. By the time they figured out what was up, they were threatened with foreclosure.(2)

For more, see Delgadillo targets housing `cheaters' in Harbor Gateway.

See also, L.A. City Attorney press release.

(1) According to the story, DiBona and Nocera, both of Northridge, have each been charged with 21 criminal counts, including conspiracy, grand theft, forgery and false advertising. If convicted of all counts, they face more than 18 years in jail and $35,000 in fines. Facing the same charges are notary public Vighen Mkrtoumian, 29, of Glendale, who allegedly notarized fake documents; Garnik Poghosyan, 30, of Van Nuys; and Wayne Stimson, 55, a loan broker at Liberty One Financial Group.

(2) The couple also has a civil legal battle ongoing. Reportedly, the couple's attorney, Foley and Lardner in Los Angeles, worked for free to get them a settlement that has helped to put them back on track.