Apex Tax Resolution, Apex Home Solution – March 3, 2015
ORDER
Having read the record, I HEREBY ORDER, pursuant to Sections 36a-671a(b), 36a-52(a) and 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes that:
1. Apex Tax Resolution LLC d/b/a Apex Home Solution LLC CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended;
2. A CIVIL PENALTY of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be imposed upon Apex Tax Resolution LLC d/b/a Apex Home Solution LLC, to be remitted to the Department of Banking by cashier’s check, certified check or money order, made payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut”, no later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order is mailed;
3. Mayada Abdullah CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended;
4. A CIVIL PENALTY of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be imposed upon Mayada Abdullah, to be remitted to the Department of Banking by cashier’s check, certified check or money order, made payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut”, no later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order is mailed;
5. Gazi M. Abdullah a/k/a Ghazi M. Abdullah CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended;
6. A CIVIL PENALTY of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be imposed upon Gazi M. Abdullah a/k/a Ghazi M. Abdullah, to be remitted to the Department of Banking by cashier’s check, certified check or money order, made payable to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut”, no later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order is mailed;
7. This Order shall become effective when mailed.
Ameritrust Law Group March 2, 2015
MATTERS ASSERTED
1. Respondent is a District of Columbia limited liability company with offices at 20 F Street, 7th Floor, Washington, DC, and 7960 Baymeadows Way, Suite 2000, Jacksonville, Florida.
2. On or about March 18, 2014, a Connecticut resident executed an “Engagement Agreement for Legal Representation” (“Agreement”) authorizing Respondent to represent the Connecticut resident in the modification of such resident’s mortgage loan.
3. In connection with the Agreement, the Connecticut resident paid $2,050 to Respondent, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees established by the Commissioner on or about October 1, 2009 (“Schedule of Maximum Fees”).
4. The Schedule of Maximum Fees provides, in pertinent part, that “[a] debt negotiator of secured debt, including Short Sales and Foreclosure Rescue Services, may impose a fee upon the mortgagor or debtor for performing debt negotiation services not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Such fee shall only be collectable upon the successful completion of all services stated in the debt negotiation service contract”.
5. At no time relevant hereto has Respondent been licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondent qualify for an exemption from such licensure.
6. On or about August 18, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut resident concerning Respondent’s failure to perform or successfully complete the debt negotiation services specified in the Agreement.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that AmeriTrust Law Group LLC MAKE RESTITUTION of any sums obtained as a result of AmeriTrust Law Group LLC violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, plus interest at the legal rate set forth in Section 37-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Specifically, the Commissioner ORDERS that: Not later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, AmeriTrust Law Group LLC shall:
1. Repay $2,050 to the Connecticut resident identified in Exhibit A attached hereto and repay to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with AmeriTrust Law Group LLC on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut resident to AmeriTrust Law Group LLC, plus interest. Payments shall be made by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and
2. Provide to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov, evidence of such repayments.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Respondent that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Respondent to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Respondent as set forth herein, subject to Respondent’s right to a hearing on the allegation set forth above. – Source
Real Estate Law Center – March 2, 2015
MATTERS ASSERTED
1. Respondent is a California corporation with an office at 695 South Vermont Avenue, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California.
2. Respondent advertises on its website that “Real Estate Law Center PC fights to help clients keep their homes, regularly pursuing litigation against the bank or lending company, while simultaneously seeking loan modification or helping clients prevent foreclosure through consumer bankruptcy”. (Emphasis added.)
3. On April 3, 2013, a Connecticut resident entered into a contract with Respondent, in which the Connecticut resident retained Respondent, among other things, to research, write and file a complaint regarding such resident’s mortgage lender with federal agencies (“Contract”). The Contract also states, in pertinent part, that “[s]hould Client wish to sue the lender, apply for bankruptcy, seek a deed in lieu of foreclosure, submit a loan modification package, . . . a new and separate attorney client retainer agreement would be required”. (Emphasis added.)
4. In connection with such Contract, the Connecticut resident paid $1,000 to Respondent.
5. At no time relevant hereto has Respondent been licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondent qualify for an exemption from such licensure.
6. On or about July 1, 2013, Respondent refunded $550 to the Connecticut resident.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that Real Estate Law Center, P.C. MAKE RESTITUTION of any sums obtained as a result of Real Estate Law Center, P.C. violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, plus interest at the legal rate set forth in Section 37-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Specifically, the Commissioner ORDERS that: Not later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, Real Estate Law Center, P.C. shall:
1. Repay fees to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with Real Estate Law Center, P.C. on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut resident to Real Estate Law Center, P.C., plus interest. Payments shall be made by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and
2. Provide to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov, evidence of such repayments.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Respondent that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Respondent to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Respondent as set forth herein, subject to Respondent’s right to a hearing on the allegation set forth above. – Source
Home Loan Division, Serrano Financial, Default Servicing, Kevin Pickering – March 2, 2015
MATTERS ASSERTED
1. At all times relevant hereto, Home Loan was a purported entity with a purported address at 1539 W. 1st Avenue, Santa Ana, California.
2. At all times relevant hereto, Default Servicing was a Utah limited liability company with offices at 1974 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, California; and CO PZ Consulting, 5000 Birch Street W Tower, Suite #3000, Newport Beach, California.
3. At all times relevant hereto, Pickering was the Managing Member and account signatory of Default Servicing, and had received or expected to receive compensation from Default Servicing.
4. On or about August 27, 2013, a Connecticut resident retained Home Loan to represent the Connecticut residents in the modification of such resident’s mortgage loan.
5. In connection with such retention, the Connecticut resident paid $2,253.38 to Default Servicing, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees established by the Commissioner on or about October 1, 2009 (“Schedule of Maximum Fees”).
6. The Schedule of Maximum Fees provides, in pertinent part, that “[a] debt negotiator of secured debt, including Short Sales and Foreclosure Rescue Services, may impose a fee upon the mortgagor or debtor for performing debt negotiation services not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Such fee shall only be collectable upon the successful completion of all services stated in the debt negotiation service contract”.
7. At no time relevant hereto have Respondents been licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondents qualify for an exemption from such licensure.
8. On November 21, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut resident concerning Respondents’ failure to perform or successfully complete the debt negotiation services.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes that Home Loan Division, Serrano Financial LLC d/b/a Default Servicing and Kelvin Pickering MAKE RESTITUTION of any sums obtained as a result of Home Loan Division, Serrano Financial LLC d/b/a Default Servicing and Kelvin Pickering violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, plus interest at the legal rate set forth in Section 37-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Specifically, the Commissioner ORDERS that: Not later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, Home Loan Division, Serrano Financial LLC d/b/a Default Servicing and Kelvin Pickering shall:
1. Repay $2,253.38 to the Connecticut resident identified in Exhibit A hereto plus interest and repay to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with Home Loan Division, Serrano Financial LLC d/b/a Default Servicing and Kelvin Pickering, on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut residents to Home Loan Division, Serrano Financial LLC d/b/a Default Servicing and/or Kelvin Pickering, plus interest. Payments shall be made by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and
2. Provide evidence to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov of such repayments.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Home Loan that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Home Loan to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Home Loan as set forth herein, subject to Home Loan’s right to a hearing on the allegation set forth above. – Source
Mehdi Moarefian, Green Tree Financial Group, Greentree Financial Group – March 2, 2015
MATTERS ASSERTED
1. Mehdi Moarefian (“Moarefian”) is an individual, who at all times relevant hereto, was the sole-proprietor of Green Tree Financial Group a/k/a Greentree Financial Group, a purported California Professional Legal Team, with an office at 5000 Birch Street, Suite #3000, Newport Beach, California.
2. On or about March 20, 2014, a Connecticut resident engaged the services of Respondent in connection with negotiating a possible mitigation of such Connecticut resident’s current home loan situation.
3. In connection with such engagement, the Connecticut resident referred to in paragraph 2 above paid $2,545 to Respondent, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees established by the Commissioner on or about October 1, 2009 (“Schedule of Maximum Fees”).
4. The Schedule of Maximum Fees provides, in pertinent part, that “[a] debt negotiator of secured debt, including Short Sales and Foreclosure Rescue Services, may impose a fee upon the mortgagor or debtor for performing debt negotiation services not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Such fee shall only be collectable upon the successful completion of all services stated in the debt negotiation service contract”.
5. On or about March 13, 2014, two Connecticut residents engaged the services of Respondent in connection with negotiating a possible mitigation of such Connecticut residents’ current home loan situation.
6. In connection with such engagement, the Connecticut residents referred to in paragraph 5 above paid $5,395 to Respondent, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees.
7. At no time relevant hereto has Respondent been licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondent qualify for an exemption from such licensure.
8. On May 14, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut resident referred to in paragraph 2 above concerning Respondent’s failure to perform or successfully complete the services described above.
9. On August 4, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut residents referred to in paragraph 5 above concerning Respondent’s failure to perform or successfully complete the services described above.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that Mehdi Moarefian d/b/a Green Tree Financial Group a/k/a Greentree Financial Group MAKE RESTITUTION of any sums obtained as a result of Mehdi Moarefian d/b/a Green Tree Financial Group a/k/a Greentree Financial Group violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, plus interest at the legal rate set forth in Section 37-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Specifically, the Commissioner ORDERS that: Not later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, Mehdi Moarefian d/b/a Green Tree Financial Group a/k/a Greentree Financial Group shall:
1. Repay the Connecticut residents in the amounts identified in Exhibit A attached hereto plus interest and repay to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with Mehdi Moarefian d/b/a Green Tree Financial Group a/k/a Greentree Financial Group on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut resident to Mehdi Moarefian d/b/a Green Tree Financial Group a/k/a Greentree Financial Group, plus interest. Payments shall be made by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and
2. Provide evidence of such repayments to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Respondent that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Respondent to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Respondent, as set forth herein, subject to Respondent’s right to a hearing on the allegation set forth above. – Source
Renaissance Legal Group, Salvation Law Group, Ronny Mor – March 2, 2015
MATTERS ASSERTED
1. Salvation Law is a California corporation with an office at 125 Baker Street East, Suite D260, Costa Mesa, California.
2. At all times relevant hereto, Mor was the President and account signatory of Salvation Law, and had received or expected to receive compensation from Salvation Law.
3. On or about November 14, 2013, a Connecticut resident retained Salvation Law to represent the Connecticut resident in the modification of such resident’s mortgage loan.
4. In connection with such retention, the Connecticut resident referred to in paragraph 3 above paid $3,365 to Salvation Law, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees established by the Commissioner on or about October 1, 2009 (“Schedule of Maximum Fees”).
5. The Schedule of Maximum Fees provides, in pertinent part, that “[a] debt negotiator of secured debt, including Short Sales and Foreclosure Rescue Services, may impose a fee upon the mortgagor or debtor for performing debt negotiation services not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Such fee shall only be collectable upon the successful completion of all services stated in the debt negotiation service contract”.
6. On or about February 24, 2014, another Connecticut resident retained Salvation Law to represent the Connecticut resident in the modification of such resident’s mortgage loan.
7. In connection with such retention, total payment of $3,500 was paid to Salvation Law by the Connecticut resident referred to in paragraph 6 above, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees.
8. During the period of November 2013 to February 2014, at least eight (8) additional Connecticut residents paid a total of at least $11,116 to Respondents for debt negotiation services.
9. At no time relevant hereto have Respondents been licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondents qualify for an exemption from such licensure.
10. On May 30, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut resident referred to in paragraph 3 above concerning Respondents’ failure to perform or successfully complete the debt negotiation services.
11. On December 16, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut resident referred to in paragraph 6 above concerning Respondents’ failure to perform or successfully complete the debt negotiation services.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes that Renaissance Legal Group APC a/k/a Renaissance Legal Group, Inc. d/b/a Salvation Law Group and Ronny Mor, Esq., MAKE RESTITUTION of any sums obtained as a result of Renaissance Legal Group APC a/k/a Renaissance Legal Group, Inc. d/b/a Salvation Law Group and Ronny Mor, Esq., violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, plus interest at the legal rate set forth in Section 37-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Specifically, the Commissioner ORDERS that: Not later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, Renaissance Legal Group APC a/k/a Renaissance Legal Group, Inc. d/b/a Salvation Law Group and Ronny Mor, Esq., shall:
1. Repay the identified Connecticut residents in the amounts identified in Exhibit A hereto plus interest and repay to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with Renaissance Legal Group APC a/k/a Renaissance Legal Group, Inc. d/b/a Salvation Law Group and Ronny Mor, Esq., on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut resident to Renaissance Legal Group APC a/k/a Renaissance Legal Group, Inc. d/b/a Salvation Law Group and Ronny Mor, Esq., plus interest. Payments shall be made by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and
2. Provide to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov evidence of such repayments.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Salvation Law that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Salvation Law to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Salvation Law as set forth herein, subject to Salvation Law’s right to a hearing on the allegation set forth above.
Michael Mazal, Retention Law Center – February 27, 2015
MATTERS ASSERTED
1. Michael R. Mazal (“Mazal”) is an individual, who at all times relevant hereto, was the sole-proprietor of Retention Law Center, a purported California company, with an office at 16808 Armstrong Avenue, Suite 180, Irvine, California.
2. On or about February 2014, a Connecticut resident engaged the services of Respondent in connection with negotiating a possible mitigation of such Connecticut resident’s current home loan situation.
3. In connection with such engagement, the Connecticut resident paid $3,300 to Respondent, which amount is in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services related to secured debt pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees established by the Commissioner on or about October 1, 2009 (“Schedule of Maximum Fees”).
4. The Schedule of Maximum Fees provides, in pertinent part, that “[a] debt negotiator of secured debt, including Short Sales and Foreclosure Rescue Services, may impose a fee upon the mortgagor or debtor for performing debt negotiation services not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Such fee shall only be collectable upon the successful completion of all services stated in the debt negotiation service contract”.
5. At no time relevant hereto has Respondent been licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondent qualify for an exemption from such licensure.
6. On July 8, 2014, the Commissioner received a complaint filed by the Connecticut resident concerning Respondent’s failure to perform or successfully complete the services described above.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-50(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that Michael R. Mazal, Esq. d/b/a Retention Law Center MAKE RESTITUTION of any sums obtained as a result of Michael R. Mazal, Esq. d/b/a Retention Law Center violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, plus interest at the legal rate set forth in Section 37-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Specifically, the Commissioner ORDERS that: Not later than thirty (30) days from the date this Order to Make Restitution becomes permanent, Michael R. Mazal, Esq. d/b/a Retention Law Center shall:
1. Repay $3,300 to the Connecticut resident identified in Exhibit A attached hereto plus interest and repay to any other Connecticut resident who entered into an agreement for debt negotiation services with Michael R. Mazal, Esq. d/b/a Retention Law Center on and after October 1, 2009, any fees paid by such Connecticut resident to Michael R. Mazal, Esq. d/b/a Retention Law Center, plus interest. Payments shall be made by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and
2. Provide evidence to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov of such repayments.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Respondent, that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Respondent to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Respondent, as set forth herein, subject to Respondent’s right to a hearing on the allegation set forth above. – Source
- Who Knew TitleMax Sucked This Bad? - February 23, 2023
- Litigation Practice Group Lawsuit by Business Partner All Service Financial – We Want Our Money - January 24, 2023
- HomeAdvisor and Angi to Pay Up To $7.2 Million and Stop Deceptively Marketing its Leads for Home Improvement Projects - January 23, 2023