Jeffrey Halpern, 62, Hewlett, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Halpern was the sole proprietor of a purported loan modification consulting company and admitted that he fraudulently billed clients more than $400,000 for services that were never performed,
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
Between 2009 and 2016, Halpern operated JCK Marketing and solicited business from individuals who were seeking home loan modifications on their residential mortgages. Halpern told these individuals that, for a fee, he would negotiate loan modifications on their behalf.
In actuality, Halpern pocketed the funds but performed little or no actual services in connection with the purported loan modifications. Halpern also repeatedly demanded money for “bank fees” from his victims, even though none of the related financial institutions charged fees for loan modifications. During the relevant time period, Halpern defrauded at least 26 victims of over $400,000.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Halpern must also pay restitution to the victims. Sentencing is scheduled for November 22, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced the guilty plea and credited investigators with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Superintendent Maria T. Vullo; the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Steven Perez; and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, under the direction of District Attorney Madeline Singas, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark. Defense counsel is Mitchell C. Elman Esq., Port Washington, New York
