LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Masto has announced the indictment of three Nevada residents and one California resident on several felonies in connection with the operation of a mortgage lending fraud scam.
A grand jury returned a 15-count indictment on April 22, charging Lynda Finch-Estrada, William Chrissikopoulos, Alan Dornhuber and William Patterson. The defendants, who operated under the name USFP, allegedly promoted forensic audits and told clients that they could be entitled to the elimination of their mortgage obligations if the audit uncovered violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
USFP also allegedly claimed that using an administrative process to send documents to various entities would have legal significance which could result in clients obtaining their home free and clear of their mortgage. The defendants also allegedly sold a program that they claimed would allow homeowners to get their home free and clear of a mortgage by quitclaiming their home to a nonprofit.
The defendants allegedly charged between $6,295 and $12,990 for one or multiple programs but failed to deliver the promised services.
"Mortgage and foreclosure rescue scams continue to threaten Nevadans and their homes," Masto said. "Our office cannot investigate or prosecute cases like this without hearing from possible victims. I encourage potential fraud victims to submit complaints to our office."
Nevada AG announces indictments against four in mortgage fraud scam
