John Kroger (D)
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger said Friday that his office's Mortgage Fraud Task Force has filed its first indictment.
The action was taken against Julian James Ruiz III, a Salem, Ore.-based mortgage broker, on 17 counts of mortgage fraud, aggravated theft, forgery and identity theft.
He is accused of fraudulently using personal information from three clients facing home foreclosure, netting for himself more than $50,000.
"We intend to prosecute mortgage fraud aggressively. If you cheat vulnerable Oregonians facing foreclosure, we will hold you accountable," Kroger said.
Ruiz, 38, is the manager and owner of American Home Modifications.
The Mortgage Fraud Task force has opened more than a dozen mortgage fraud and foreclosure scam investigations, Kroger's statement said.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.