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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Christopher Fox, 37, of Laguna Niguel and Curtis Melone (AKA Curtis Kubat), 37, of Huntington Beach were arrested Tuesday on 37 felony counts, including conspiracy, grand theft and unlawful collection of advance fees.
They are being held at the Orange County Jail on $500,000 bail and will be arraigned today in Orange County Superior Court, Harris’ office reported.
Fox and Melone – along with King Harris III, 42, of St. Louis, Missouri – allegedly collected more than $6 million in up-front fees through Orange County- based Green Credit Solutions.
The Attorney General's Office will seek extradition of King Harris, who currently faces federal mail and wire fraud charges in Missouri.
"Homeowners continue to struggle throughout California and across the country to hang onto their homes, and this prosecution is another warning to predators who would seek to profit from their distress: this kind of criminal conduct will meet with swift and certain consequences," Attorney General Harris said.
She advised that homeowners should never pay up-front fees to reduce their loans.
“Californians who face mortgage difficulties should instead contact a nonprofit housing counselor, either through www.HUD.gov or a local nonprofit housing clinic, to learn about the mortgage process and their rights as homeowners,” she added.
In June 2009, the Attorney General's Office launched an investigation of Orange County- based Green Credit Solutions – later renamed Guardian Credit Services and Get My Credit Grade – in response to numerous consumer complaints filed with the office, as well as with the Better Business Bureau, the California Department of Real Estate and the State Bar of California.
Through witness interviews, analysis of the company's marketing materials, and its business and financial records, Department of Justice investigators uncovered a scheme in which thousands of victims paid $3,500 for what they believed were attorney-backed loan modification services to reduce their interest rates, monthly payments or principal balance.
From November 2008 to October 2009, Fox, Melone and King Harris collected more than $6 million from thousands of homeowners across California and nationwide.
Victims were told their funds would be held in a so-called "attorney escrow account" until services were completed. In fact, those fees were often deposited into the account of a disbarred attorney and then promptly transferred to GCS.
Likewise, the company fraudulently claimed that loan modification services would be performed by attorneys; King Harris is a disbarred Tennessee attorney and marketing materials referred to his alleged partners at the defunct law firm of "Smith Harris PLLC."
In May, Attorney General Harris formed a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud. In August, the Strike Force filed its first suit against a law firm that took millions from desperate homeowners.
In California, foreclosure consultants are prohibited by law from collecting money before services are performed.
For more tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud and other resources, and to report fraud or file a complaint, visit http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/loan-modification.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A generous Lake County resident has made a donation that police intend to use to help the community’s children.
Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph said that on Wednesday, Dec. 7, a Lake County resident who wishes to remain anonymous, donated approximately 40 packages, each containing a brand new children’s blanket and a stuffed animal.
The donations were made and obtained by a group of volunteers for the purposes that law enforcement officers might hand these out to children in need during law enforcement contact, Joseph said.
He said the packages will go a long way in helping children during difficult times.
The packages already have been dispersed to all Clearlake officers and detectives, who will hand them out during the holiday season.
The Clearlake Police Department greatly appreciates this group’s efforts and any persons who make donations such as this, Joseph said.
Though the resident wishes to remain anonymous, persons wishing to donate funds to this group to help purchase the blankets and stuffed animals can contact Joseph at 707-994-8251.
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On Tuesday, a bat found near the intersections of Point Lake View Road and Anderson Road in Lower Lake tested positive for the rabies virus, according to Animal Care and Control Director Bill Davidson.
Davidson said the bat had been in contact with a neighborhood pet and the appropriate rabies treatment protocols are being taken for the family involved.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind all residents to make certain their family pets are currently vaccinated against rabies and that contact with wild animals should be avoided,” Davidson said.
He said humans can be exposed to rabies carried by bats through direct contact, bites or scratches. Inapparent exposure can occur when a bat is present in a room where people are sleeping.
If a possible exposure has occurred, the bat should be carefully trapped and submitted for testing whenever possible, Davidson said.
Questions about the need for treatment to prevent rabies can be directed to Lake County Public Health at 707-263-1090 or 1-800-794-9291, or if you or your pet comes into contact with a wild animal, please contact the Animal Care and Control Department at 707-263-0278.
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“Wreaths Across America” is returning to Lake County again this year.
On Friday, Dec. 9, local volunteers, Boy Scouts Troop 42, Clear Lake High School Interact Club and families of veterans will lay 686 wreaths on the graves of veterans at Hartley and Kelseyville cemeteries.
Formal wreath-laying ceremonies will take place promptly at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at both cemeteries.
Seven specially designated ceremonial wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during the local ceremonies, which will be coordinated simultaneously at more than 600 participating locations all across the United States.
The ceremonies will be performed by local youth and veterans organizations, including Boy Scout Troops, Girl Scout Troops, Sea Scouts, Highway Patrol Explorers and Royal Rangers, the United Veterans Council’s Military Funeral Honors Team and Patriotic Guard Riders.
The national anthem and “Amazing Grace” will be sung by Michaela Mahnke and Bianca Torres. Chaplain Woody Hughes, and pastors Gary Zeek and Gary Dromi will officiate at the ceremonies.
This is the fifth year that there has been a wreath laying ceremony at Hartley Cemetery and the first year at Kelseyville Cemetery, according to Toni Funderburg, the effort’s local coordinator. A future goal is to hold events at other county cemeteries.
The second Saturday in December will mark the 20th anniversary of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, donating wreaths to be placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.
The national wreath sponsorship campaign under the guidance of the nonprofit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org will bring the same remembrance wreaths to national and state veterans cemeteries, monuments and community centers all across the nation.
In addition to these ceremonial wreaths, local Boy Scout Troop 42 has joined with Wreaths Across America to promote sponsored wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves.
Funderburg said the first goal for this year was to place a wreath on every veteran’s gravesite at Hartley Cemetery, and this will happen as a result of the support of the community’s generosity.
The second goal this year was to build wreath stands for all the wreaths at Hartley Cemetery. Thanks to Pam Huebner and her generosity they have wreath stands for all of that cemetery’s veteran gravesites, Funderburg said.
Subsequent to meeting these two goals sponsorships continued from many who value and respect veterans and their families, she said.
With that support they are able to lay approximately 686 wreaths at Hartley Cemetery and Kelseyville Cemetery, according to Funderburg.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is to “Remember (the fallen), Honor (those that serve), Teach (our Children the Value of Freedom).”
Troop 42 and community sponsors want these holiday wreaths to symbolize honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of the United States, as well as to their families, who endure sacrifices every day to preserve freedom, Funderburg said.
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