$59 million dollar judgment for deliberately scheming to evade the law and cause harm to their clients

The Mortgage Law Group, LLP d/b/a The Law Firm of Macey, Aleman & Searns, Consumer First Legal Group LLC, Thomas G. Macey, Jeffrey J. Aleman, Jason Searns, and Harold E. Stafford

mortgage fraudUPDATE Feb 5, 2024: From Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “On August 11, 2022, defendants filed a notice of appeal, and the Bureau filed a notice of cross-appeal on September 15, 2022. On February 5, 2024, the remaining defendants entered into a settlement under which the parties dismissed their respective appeals, and on February 7, 2024, the Seventh Circuit dismissed the appeals. The settlement requires defendants to pay $10.9 million in consumer redress and a $1.1 million penalty. The individual defendants remain subject to the bans from the mortgage assistance industry under the district court’s August 1, 2022 order.”

According to an article in news.bloomberglaw.com, 11/6/19, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “CFPB” won a $59 Million dollar judgment (restitution and civil penalties) against The Mortgage Law Group, LLP, Consumer First Legal Group, LLC, Thomas G. Macey, Jeffery J. Aleman, Jason E. Searns and Harold E. Stafford (case 3:14-cv-00513-WMC, order filed 11/4/19 (see “Read More” link below for the Order).

This lawsuit took almost five years to find some final (we can only hope) resolution

This lawsuit started in 2014, wound through at least two bankruptcies, multiple orders to finally conclude on November 4, 2019, that CFLG I and II, Harold Stafford, Thomas Macey, Jeffery Aleman, and Jason Searns must disgorge “ill-gotten gains”. Neither company is currently in operation, plus Macey and Aleman have had their law licenses suspended.

“Defendants used fraudulent misrepresentations to dupe customers into purchasing in advance a service that they could have received for free”

From the Order: “Accordingly, the court finds that restitution is warranted where consumers (1) were charged advanced fees that were specifically prohibited by regulation, (2) were enticed to do so through various misrepresentations, and (3) received no measurable benefit for payment of those fees. Specifically, this results in the awards as follows against the respective defendants:

  1. TMLG, Macey, Aleman, and Searns are jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $18,716,725.78, plus certain net revenue, for the advance fees that TMLG (The Mortgage Law Group) collected from consumers.
  2. CFLG (Consumer First Legal Group), Macey, and Aleman Searns are jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $2,897,566 for the advanced fees that CFLG II collected from consumers.
  3. Stafford and CFLG are jointly and severally liable for restitution in the amount of $94,730 for the advanced fees that CFLG I collected from consumers.

mortgage fraud

MUSINGS FROM DIANE:

mortgage fraudI know there are evil people stealing from the innocent.  But I see red when I hear a lawyer knowingly ripped off their clients.  Lying, cheating, and stealing from your clients is like your doctor giving you a prescription because he/she gets a kickback from the drug manufacturer.  Everyone has a right to rely on their lawyer or doctor.

A doctor has a duty to cause no harm to their patients, and a lawyer has a duty to put their client’s interests before their own.  Mistakes happen, that is understandable.  But to intentionally harm someone is an unspeakable sin, and that person will certainly find his or her way to prison or hell (or hopefully both).

Point of interest: there used to be Macey and Aleman offices in Arizona. Here is an article that talks about Macey and Kevin Chern (Upright Law):  https://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/510629987-geraci-alleges-rival-former-associate-chern-aided-taking-of-proprietary-software

570 words|3 min read|Categories: Debt Relief Agencies, Foreclosure, Loan Modification, scams|By |Published On: December 2nd, 2019|Last Updated: February 19th, 2024|

Share this article

Diane is a well respected Arizona bankruptcy and foreclosure attorney. As a retired law professor, she believes in offering everyone, not just her clients, advice about bankruptcy and Arizona foreclosure laws. Diane is also a mentor to hundreds of Arizona attorneys.

*Important Note from Diane: Everything on this web site is offered for educational purposes only and not intended to provide legal advice, nor create an attorney client relationship between you, me, or the author of any article. Information in this web site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from an attorney familiar with your personal circumstances and licensed to practice law in your state. Make sure to check out their reviews.*

Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Google Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Yelp Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Avvo Reviews
Avvo - Rate your Lawyer. Get Free Legal Advice.
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Alignable Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Better Business Bureau
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Google Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Yelp Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Avvo Reviews
Avvo - Rate your Lawyer. Get Free Legal Advice.
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Alignable Reviews
Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A., Arizona Bankruptcy Lawyer - Better Business Bureau

In Case You Missed It

  • In today's consumer landscape, credit cards are the normal tools for managing finances and making purchases. However, having credit card debt can lead to financial stress and vulnerability to predatory schemes. Recognizing the importance [...]

  • The article titled "Dangers of Using Public Wi-Fi Networks" posted on Galloptech Group's blog offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the risks associated with using public Wi-Fi networks. Here's an outline of what makes [...]

  • Want to avoid dishonest debt collectors? Watch this video from FTC’s Consumer Advice By Joseph Ferrari,July 22, 2022 (reprint from FTC, Consumer Alerts) During Military Consumer Month 2022, the FTC is highlighting resources [...]

  • WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF A COVID-19 FORECLOSURE FORBEARANCE? Can servicers demand a large balance? Generally, the servicers should not be demanding full payment following a COVID forbearance. There [...]