JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Federal Trade Commission said a Jacksonville attorney and four law groups that he controlled or is associated with were involved in a mortgage relief scheme that took thousands of dollars from victims.
Action News reached out to local real estate attorney Michael W. Lanier on Wednesday regarding a complaint recently filed by the FTC against Lanier in federal court.
According to a press release issued by the FTC, the commission accuses Lanier and his companies of violating the FTC Act, deceptive representations, material misrepresentations, collecting advance payments in violation of the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule, telemarketing violations, failure to disclose and violating the National Do Not Call Registry.
"Defendants have charged an upfront fee ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 or, in some instances, charged monthly fees," the complaint states.
"Lanier et al. told consumers they could get their mortgages modified by reducing the interest rate, by making the monthly payments lower and/or reduce the principal balance of their mortgages, or that there is a high probability they will do so. Lanier et al. told consumers they would 'conduct various audits or reviews of the consumers' loan documents and transactions and that many audits or reviews reveal fraud, errors or predatory acts committed by lender.' In numerous instances, after consumers have signed up with defendants and paid requested advance fees, defendants have failed to obtain loan modification, principal reduction, or other relief to stop foreclosure or make consumers' mortgage payments affordable," the complaint states.
The FTC said many of Lanier's customers "suffered significant economic injury including: paying hundreds or thousands of dollars to defendants and receiving little to no service in return; going into foreclosure; and even losing their homes."Lanier declined to comment on details of the case Wednesday, citing concerns for his employees as he prepared for a hearing Thursday morning to address a temporary restraining order issued by the court last week to stop operations at his Jacksonville offices.
"I've got some great folks that work in my office. They don't come for the great aura of hanging out with me, or the great environment. The come to support their family, and this hearing tomorrow is critical to us being able to continue their employment and feed their families and take care of themselves, so I'd rather not comment. I am willing to sit down and discuss the case any time after that, but I don't want to say anything before the hearing," Lanier said.
Lanier said he is following the order until a resolution is reached.
"We feel real good about coming to work every day and doing the things that we do. Based on some of the restraints, we haven't had our full resources to continue to pay folks what we need to continue to support our clients, but we are expecting a resolution tomorrow that will allow us to continue to do the good work that we do."
The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in federal court.
Click here to view the FTC complaint.
If you are a former customer of the above referenced companies, please contact Action News reporter Amanda Warford at awarford@actionnewsjax.com.
FTC: Jacksonville attorney involved in mortgage relief scheme
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