November 4, 2014
Victims Lost $61K in False Mortgage Elimination Scheme
Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez
Masto announced that Alex Soria, 68, of Las Vegas and Sonia Rodis, 54, of Las
Vegas each pled guilty Monday, to one count of pattern of mortgage lending
fraud, a category “B” felony, in connection with a mortgage fraud scam that
operated under the name BioGreen Teck, LLC.
“It is unacceptable for individuals to prey on hurting homeowners” said
Masto. “My office will continue to prosecute these criminals to the
fullest extent of the law. My office also offers housing assistance
through our Home Again Nevada Program. Our housing professionals are
trained on all state and federal programs to assist Nevadans; it is legitimate
and absolutely free”.
The mortgage lending fraud scheme took place between November 2009 and May
2010. Soria and Rodis enticed victims, some of whom were related to Rodis,
to pay sums of money ranging from $1,043 to $6,800, for a fraudulent mortgage
program they named the “Zero Mortgage Program.”
Soria and Rodis promised that the “Zero Mortgage Program” would eliminate the
victims’ mortgage obligations. They instructed the victims to record Affidavits
of Fact and Deeds of Full Reconveyance under the false premise that recording
these documents would have the legal effect of cutting off the lenders’ rights.
Contrary to these claims, the program the defendants peddled had no legal merit.
Judge Jessie Walsh ordered Soria and Rodis to appear on March 9, 2015 at 8:30
a.m. for sentencing in District Court, Department 10.
To read the plea agreement and criminal information for Rodis, click
here. To read the plea agreement and criminal information for Soria,
click
here.
This case is being prosecuted by Raya M. Swift, Senior Deputy Attorney
General and Jeffrey H. Segal, Chief Deputy Attorney General.
File a Complaint with Our Office
Victims of mortgage fraud are encouraged to file a complaint with our
office. Complaints
forms are
available on the Attorney General’s website at ag.nv.gov.
Home Again: Nevada Homeowner Relief Program
The AG’s office encourages Nevadans who are planning to buy their first
home, seeking credit restoration, and/or looking to modify their home loan to
contact the Home Again: Nevada
Homeowner Relief Program. Home Again Nevada, initiated by General Masto, is a program that
makes it easier for Nevadans to determine what state or federal assistance may
be available to them with a single “one-stop” free resource. Homeowners in need
of assistance should contact at 1-855-HLP-4-NEV (1-855-457-4638) or
homeagainnevada.gov.
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