Ohio Attorney General files lawsuit against northeast Ohio foreclosure rescue company

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has filed a lawsuit against K&R Marketing LLC, charging the Broadview Heights company with taking money for loan modifications, and doing little or nothing to help homeowners.

The 8-page lawsuit also names a second company, Fix My Mortgage Problem, and its owner Christopher Bray of Norwalk. The suit claims Bray charged homeowners $500 to $1,000 upfront for loan modifications, but then did little or nothing to get consumers refinancing.

Attorney General DeWine had a strong message for Bray during an interview with 5 On Your Side.

"This is reprehensible what you've done, you ought to be ashamed of yourself," said DeWine. "We're coming after you, and we're going to do everything we can to make sure you never do business again."

DeWine told NewsChannel5 legitimate loan modification companies should never ask for money up-front.

"They're not supposed to take any money from you until they have an offer from your mortgage company. If someone tells you, 'we'll help you, but don't contact your mortgage servicer. Stop making your payments.' Then those are good signs something is wrong."

NewsChannel5 traveled to Christopher Bray's Norwalk home, but so far we have not been able to reach him for comment on the lawsuit.

The K&R Marketing Broadview Heights office was vacant and closed. Neighbors told NewsChannel5 the company moved out three weeks ago.

The suit demands Bray give refunds to all consumers and stop all mortgage relief operations.

Home owners can contact the Ohio Attorney General about a loan modification company at 1-800-282-0515, or on the web at ohioattorneygeneral.gov.