Ohio AG Tags Three More Foreclosure Rescue Operators With Civil Suits Alleging Outfits Ran Illegal Upfront Fee Loan Modification & Related Rackets

From the Office of the Ohio Attorney General:

• Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has filed three new lawsuits against foreclosure rescue operations for bilking Ohioans out of tens of thousands of dollars. In the lawsuits, Cordray is seeking to shut down these outfits in Ohio with full restitution to homeowners.

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• In Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Cordray filed suits against National Homeownership Assistance Foundation Ltd. (NHAF),(1) located in Worthington, and Stephens Investment & Financial Services dba Lifeline Financial Legal Home Solutions,(2) located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. [...] Additionally, Cordray filed a suit in Stark County Common Pleas Court against 1st American Law Center Inc.(3) based in Oceanside, Cal.

For the Ohio AG press release, see Cordray Sues Three Foreclosure Rescue Businesses.

(1) Cordray accuses NHAF and its managing partner, Casimir S. Suwinski of Delaware, its general manager, Casimir S. Suwinski Jr. of New Albany, and its president, Arden Banks of Grove City, of charging homeowners on average $2,500 for foreclosure prevention services, such as securing loan modifications from mortgage servicers, and then not providing the service. view the lawsuit against NHAF and motion for attachment, see State of Ohio v. National Homeownership Assistance Foundation Ltd. et al.

(2) In the case against Lifeline, Cordray accuses the operation of claiming that it could “reduce your payments up to 10-50%,” or “lower your interest rate.” After charging thousands of dollars, the company failed to deliver the service. Lifeline also misled consumers by misrepresenting its legal expertise and the availability of legal services, including “retained legal experts.” To view the lawsuit against Lifeline, see State of Ohio v. Stephens Investment & Financial Services.

(3) In the filing, 1st American is accused of charging homeowners as much as $4,000 for foreclosure prevention assistance services such as negotiating loans and accepting payment for these services without delivering on its promises. To view the lawsuit against 1st American, see State of Ohio v. 1st American Law Center Inc.