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Attorney General Abbott Takes Legal Action Against Housing Scam That Targeted Austin-Area Hispanic Home...

AUSTIN, TX - October 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged Fern Hernandez Realty, Inc., with defrauding Hispanic home buyers. The state’s enforcement action names the corporation; its owner, real estate broker Jose Fernando “Fern” Hernandez and his wife, Odessa S. Hernandez.

Owner of Brownstone Construction Indicted for Mortgage Fraud

HOUSTON, TX - September 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- A 16-count sealed indictment charging Melvin Lendall Brown, the owner of Brownstone Construction, with wire fraud arising from an alleged multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme has been unsealed, United States Attorney Tim Johnson and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard C. Powers announced today.

Former Dallas Cowboys Football Player, Eugene Lockhart, and Eight Others, Charged in Mortgage Fraud...

DALLAS, TX - September 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal grand jury has indicted Eugene Lockhart, Jr., 48, a former player with the Dallas Cowboys, and eight others, on various charges related to a mortgage fraud scheme he and the others allegedly ran in the Dallas area from 2001 through 2005, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

State housing agency releases $81 million in first time homebuyer funds

AUSTIN, TX - August 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has released $81 million in mortgage loan funds available to help qualifying households purchase their first home. Homeownership promotes stable families and neighborhoods, generates local economic development with construction jobs, and supports local governments with increased tax revenue.

Tax Masters Leases Entire Building in West Houston

Houston, TX - August 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Tax Masters, Inc. has signed a deal to relocate its office from 900 Town and Country Lane to 2020 Dairy Ashford, part of a two building complex located on Dairy Ashford, just north of Westheimer Road in west Houston. The Houston-based, IRS tax relief representation firm leased the entire six story building totaling 107,890 square feet.

State housing agency invests $78.7 million to expand rental housing choices in Texas

AUSTIN, TX - August 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Striving to increase the state’s stock of affordable rental housing, strengthening families and communities in uncertain economic times, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced a funding plan to help finance affordable rental properties across the state bringing stability to young working families and retired individuals while providing a boost to local economies.

Clear Lake Mortgage Broker/Real Estate Developer Sentenced to 10 Year Prison Term

HOUSTON, TX - July 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Richard Bell, 50, president and CEO of Harborside Mortgage Corporation, was sentenced to 121 months in prison late yesterday by U.S. District Judge Gray Miller for bank fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.

Father, Daughter, Wife Indicted in Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy

HOUSTON, TX - July 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- An 11-count sealed indictment charging conspiracy and wire fraud has been unsealed following the arrests of Claymon "Butch" Trammell, Michelle Trammell and Jeannettea Williams, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.

State releases $7.5 million for down payment loans in advance of homebuyer federal tax...

AUSTIN, TX - July 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Do you consider yourself a would-be first time homebuyer eager to take advantage of current market conditions and the new federal homebuyer tax credit but don’t have enough ready cash on hand to make a down payment? The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has a solution for you.

Federal Jury Convicts San Antonio Woman of Criminal Contempt and Mail Fraud in Foreclosure...

San Antonio, TX - June 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - John E. Murphy, Acting United States Attorney, announced that a federal jury this morning returned a guilty verdict against a San Antonio woman, who claimed to be a foreclosure prevention specialist, on seven counts each of criminal contempt and mail fraud.

Office of the Attorney General Hosts Mortgage Fraud Summit

AUSTIN, TX - June 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today welcomed state and local authorities, law enforcement officials, prosecutors and other interested Texans to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Mortgage Fraud Summit.

Attorney General Abbott Charges Houston Property Tax Firm with Texas Property Tax Code and...

HOUSTON, TX - June 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has charged O’Connor & Associates, which purports to be the state’s largest property tax consultant, with violating the Texas Property Tax Code and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Attorney General Abbott Charges Houston Firms with Conducting Fraudulent Foreclosure Rescue Scam

HOUSTON, TX - May 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — A Harris County district judge froze several Houston firms’ assets after Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged the companies with running foreclosure “rescue” scams.

Mortgage Broker Convicted for Mortgage Fraud

HOUSTON, TX - May 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Clarence Lewis III has been was found guilty of devising a scheme to defraud residential mortgage lenders by misstating information material to the lending decision, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.

Sen. Cornyn: Senate Clears Bill To Help Struggling Homeowners

Washington, DC - May 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Finance and Budget Committees, released the following statement after supporting the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 91-5.

East Texas Woman Sentenced To 99 Years In Prison For Mortgage Fraud

CORSICANA, TX - March 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — A Henderson County woman was today sentenced to 99 years in prison for her role in a mortgage fraud scheme.

Foreclosure Assistance Solutions Inc. repays 351 Texas homeowners more than $390,000

SAN ANTONIO, TX - March 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today announced the conclusion of the state’s enforcement action against Foreclosure Assistance Solutions (FAS). As a result of an agreement, the Florida-based company must no longer engage in the foreclosure mitigation business in Texas and has paid more than $390,000 in restitution to 351 Texas homeowners.

Consumer Alert: Foreclosure Rescue Scams Growing Threat To Consumers

Fraudulent companies cheat Texans out of the American Dream of homeownership Austin, TX - March 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Tough economic times bring out criminals seeking to take advantage of the desperate or unwary.

Callegari Proposes Property Tax Appraisal Caps For Texas Businesses

Austin, TX - February 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – On Monday State Representative Bill Callegari (Katy) filed two measures to cap increases in property tax appraisals for commercial property.

Relief For Struggling Homeowners

Austin, TX - January 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Rep. Mike Villarreal filed legislation today that could provide much needed relief for struggling homeowners.

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Benefits of Hiring an Accident Attorney

The Benefits of Hiring an Accident Attorney

Road accidents are more common that one might think. Did you know that according to Texas Department of Transportation, 1 crash occurs every 59 seconds in Texas? In the unfortunate situation of a road crash, your injuries are not the only thing you need to worry about.