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Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of Smith Dollar, PC, is licensed to practice law in California and maintains offices in Santa Rosa, California. Email Ms. Dollar
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Jack Ferm and Mario Saunders have been indictedfor allegedly operating a foreclosure rescue scam in Las Vegas, Nevada, between September 2008 through 2009 under the business name of US Justice Foundation.
The indictment alleges that Ferm and Saunders operated US Justice Foundation, a document preparation business that charged $2,500.00 and misled customers that their services would stop ongoing foreclosures on their homes and/or obtain loan modifications.
Jack Ferm was indicted on one (1) B felony count of Theft - Obtaining Money in Excess of $2,500 by material misrepresentation from a person sixty years of age or older in violation of NRS 205.832 (1)(c), NRS 205.083 and NRS 193.167; five (5) B felony counts of Theft-Obtaining Money in Excess of $2,500 by material in violation of NRS 205.0832 (1) (c) and NRS 205.0835; one (1) B felony count of theft-Obtaining money in excess of $250 by material misrepresentation from a person sixty years of age or older in violation of NRS 205.0832 (1) (c), NRS 205.0835 and NRS 193.167; and three (3) C felony counts of theft-obtaining money in excess of $250 by material misrepresentation.
An indictment was also entered against Mario Saunders on four (4) B felony Counts of Theft-obtaining money in excess of $2,500 by material misrepresentation in violation of NRS 205.0832 (1) (c) and NRS 205.0835; and one C felony (1) count of Theft-obtaining money in excess of $250 by material misrepresentation in violation of NRS 205.0832 (1) (c) and NRS 205.0835.
The case was investigated and is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Mortgage Fraud Task Force and Bureau of Consumer Protection after the AG's office received numerous complaints about misrepresentations made by Ferm and Saunders. These include several clients who paid thousands of dollars to the Us Justice Foundation with no legal documents having been prepared or filed on their behalf. In most cases, Ferm and Saunders required the victims to pay a monthly charge of $150 for litigation costs in addition to the original retainer of $2,500 for the duration of the litigation, despite the fact that neither Ferm or Saunders were licensed as attorneys in Nevada.
Nevada Attorney General Masto announced the indictments.
"These types of crimes target vulnerable people who are already struggling financially and are looking for hope," said Attorney General Masto. "My office intends to continue to prosecute these crimes and send the message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in our State."
The indictment is not a determination of guilt or innocence but is just a finding of probable cause that a crime was committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A District Court arraignment has been scheduled for October 15 in Las Vegas District Court Department 15
Anyone who has information regarding this case should contact the Attorney General's Office at 486-3777 in Las Vegas or 684-1180 in Carson City.
Failed Mortgage Firm Trustee Allowed $50,000 in Fees Union Leader
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge J. Michael Deasy will approve $50,000 in legal fees for the trustee of failed mortgage brokerage businesses Financial Resources Mortgage Inc. and CL&M Inc.
Bend Oregon Event to Help Homeowners Prevent Foreclosures Oregon.Gov
As part of an ongoing effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, state agencies are organizing a foreclosure-prevention event in Bend on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Shelbyville Man Gets 2-Year Sentence For Loan Fraud Chattanoogan.Com
Prosecutor Gary Humble said the lost was approximately $2.3 million in the mortgage fraud involving hundreds of homes in the Shelbyville area.
Lend America, VP Ashley Banned from FHA Housing Wire
Michael Ashley, the embattled former vice president of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed mortgage originator Lend America, and the company he worked for, were permanently banned from doing business in the industry last week.
Countrywide Tries to Pin Blame on Insurer Court House News
Countrywide Home Loans demands $111 million from Triad Guaranty Insurance, claiming Triad is trying to blame mortgage lenders for the insurer's role in the housing bubble and collapse.
Investors Say They Were Swindled in Property Scheme Fox 13 Now
Utah Division of Consumer Protection is joining forces with a few investors who claim they have been cheated by an agency called "Utah Mini Ranches.
Greenfield Man Accused of Housing Scam The Republic
A former real estate agent conned at least eight people by renting them properties actually owned by a federal agency and then running off with their deposits, prosecutors said.
Appraisal Institute Opposes Obama Administration's Plan for Homeowner 'Short Sales' PR News Wire
Citing concerns about increased mortgage fraud, four organizations representing more than 35,000 real estate appraisers today voiced their opposition to changes to an Obama administration program that will encourage "short sales" of homes.
Ownership Rights to Get Another Look TBO.Com
State lawmakers may beef up protections of property owners' rights by rewriting a law this spring that is at the center of a case of alleged fraud in Pasco County.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Continued Testimony
As reported by Anne Mitchell, who viewed the trial:
Angela Parenza worked for Jeff Miller as the office manager for 7 or 8 years beginning in 1998. Parenza was indicted along with Miller and pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering. Parenza testified that Miller or his contractors allegedly preferred to build all the...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Coverage Continued - Witness Testimony
Steve Middleton Testimony - Coverage Provided by Anne Mitchell
The Government continued in its cross examination of Steve Middleton. He was shown several HUD-1 statements involving sales of homes located in Overland Park, KS, and Olathe, KS. The HUD statements each allegedly showed line items of payments to (James) Moser & Associates, LLC's...
Monday, February 01, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Coverage - Continued Witness Examination
According to Anne Mitchell, who is present in court for the trial:
Next Witness: Kelly Sanford
Kelly Sanford of the Federal Reserve was a short witness for the Government. Sanford manages electronic payments between banks and member financial institutions. He was shown copies of wire transfers and asked whether they coincided with the counts in...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial - Prosecution Witnesses Continued
According to Anne Mitchell, who is viewing the trial:
January 13, 2010
Witness: Rick Hayes
Rick Hayes testified that on the day that he closed on his Miller Enterprise home, he received a phone call from the Kansas Banking Commission informing him that his loan was fraudulent. After the Hayes responded to a classified ad, they met with John...
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The information and notices contained on Mortgage Fraud Blog are intended to summarize recent developments in mortgage fraud cases and mortgage banking matters nationwide. The posts on this site are presented as general research and information and are expressly not intended, and should not be regarded, as legal advice. Much of the information on this site concerns allegations made in civil lawsuits and in criminal indictments. All persons are presumed innocent until convicted of a crime. Readers who have particular questions about mortgage banking, mortgage fraud matters or who believe they require legal counsel should seek the advice of an attorney. The creators, editors and sponsors of Mortgage Fraud Blog do not intend to create a confidential relationship or an attorney-client relationship by communication via or arising from this site.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of 
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