Law Firms Defrauded Homeowners Facing Foreclosure: Authorities

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Law firm employees from Prince William County defrauded thousands of homeowners who were looking to avoid foreclosure, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Washington, D.C. said.

Authorities identified the Prince William County residents as David Maresca of Manassas and Terrylle Blackstone of Woodbridge. Lawyers from New Jersey and Florida were also charged in connection with the scheme.

Maresca was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, seven counts of mail fraud, five counts of monetary transactions in criminally-derived property, and two counts of falsification of bankruptcy records. Blackstone was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, seven counts of mail fraud, and three counts of wire fraud.

Prosecutors said Maresca founded Synergy Law and Themis Law, two of the three law firms involved in the scheme. Blackstone worked for the firms.

Maresca's law firms advertised themselves on television and online as attorneys that could help homeowners avoid foreclosure, according to the indictment. The suspects operated call centers where they promised concerned homeowners that a qualified lawyer would review the case and find a resolution.

"The conspirators knew these representations were false and fraudulent. Synergy Law and Themis Law never operated a 'national law firm,' and never provided legal services to homeowners," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "Neither Synergy Law nor Themis Law had attorneys review homeowner files, and neither Synergy Law nor Themis Law had attorneys contact a client’s lender to discuss a mortgage resolution."

Authorities said the law firms charged a retainer fee and a monthly fee for representation. The law firms then used the money for their own benefit.

Prosecutors believe the law firms would recommend that the homeowners file for bankruptcy when facing foreclosure. The law firms would also refer clients to each other and charge additional fees, according to court documents.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI urged anyone who did business with these law firms, and who think they were defrauded to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.