AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced July 17 that his office has obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction against Samara Portfolio Management LLC, Law Office of Joseph Onwuteaka PC, and Joseph O. Onwuteaka, for allegations of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices—Consumer Protection Act (DTPA), Texas Debt Collection Act and the Identity Theft Protection and Enforcement Act (ITPA).
According to Paxton’s office, the defendants filed 898 consumer debt collection cases against debtor defendants in Harris County. These debtor defendants allegedly had neither signed the loan contract in nor lived in Harris County at the time of suing. Alleged conduct of this nature violates the DTPA.
The defendants also purportedly attempted to collect on 63 motor vehicle debts without a license in violation of the Texas Debt Collection Act.
The defendants have been mandated by a jury to pay $25,165,500 in civil penalties and $559,231.30 in attorneys’ fees.
Handling the case for Texas were assistant attorneys general Rick Berlin and Stephanie Eberhardt.