CALIFORNIA MORTGAGE MODIFICATION SCAMMER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND PAYMENT OF OVER $6 MIILLION IN RESTITIUTION

WASHINGTON, DC – November 25, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Christy Goldsmith Romero, Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) announced that Michael Lewis Parker, of Pomona, Calif., who worked at a Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. based business that offered bogus loan modifications was sentenced in California yesterday to serve a federal prison term of six years, and to pay restitution of over $6 million.

Previously, Christopher George, a co-owner of 21st Century, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison; Crystal Buck, a sales “closer” who persuaded numerous victims to pay fees to 21st Century received a sentence of five years; Albert DiRoberto, handled sales and marketing – which included making a commercial for 21st Century and preparing talking points to respond to negative publicity – was sentenced to five years in prison;, Yadira Padilla, who handled client complaints and refund requests, and who posted bogus reviews of the company on the internet – was sentenced to four years in prison, and Michael Bates, a sales employee for the company was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.

This case is a result of an investigation conducted by SIGTARP with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation division, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General.

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