November 12,  2009

               LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the sentencing of two west Michigan loan officers convicted of operating a widespread mortgage fraud ring, duping members of the Grand Rapids Hispanic community into purchasing distressed properties at inflated prices, falsifying records and pocketing thousands of dollars.  The targeted buyers often spoke or wrote little English and had a limited understanding of the mortgage process.

Damon Clark, 32, of Grand Rapids and Reginald Tardy, Jr., 31, of Ferndale each pled guilty in late September of one count of Racketeering and were sentenced today by Judge David Hoort in Montcalm County Circuit Court.  Clark was sentenced to 15 months to 20 years in prison, Tardy was sentenced to 18 months to 20 years in prison and they were ordered to pay restitution totaling $131,113.  A third man, Brian VanFarowe of Grand Rapids fled the country before charges were formally issued. 

"These men took advantage of families pursuing the American dream of homeownership," said Cox.  "Today we are holding them accountable."

During 2005, mortgage loan officers Tardy and Clark and real estate investor VanFarowe conducted a mortgage foreclosure scam that targeted the Hispanic community in Grand Rapids. 

Promising them the dream of home ownership, Tardy and Clark prepared loan documents for the buyers using falsified financial information to ensure a mortgage could be obtained.  The pair acquired generous appraisals for VanFarowe's properties and used the falsified loan applications to secure mortgages for the buyers which exceeded the actual property value.

At the closings, VanFarowe presented invoices alleging that legitimate services had been rendered by T.Dot Financial, a company owned by Tardy and Clark.  These invoices were fraudulent because they were kick-backs to the loan officers provided for finding a buyer and getting the fraudulent loan application approved.  Because VanFarowe did not object to the invoice, the mortgage company permitted payment from loan proceeds.  As loan officers, Tardy and Clark had a duty under law to remain at "arms length" in arranging mortgage applications.  They used the fraudulent invoices to hide the fact that they personally benefited from the inflated sale and fraudulent mortgage applications. 

As a result of the scheme, the buyer ended up owning property with a mortgage greater than the actual value of the home, while Tardy, Clark and VanFarowe illegally walked away with thousands of dollars.  The buyer, whose loan application was based on false income information, did not have the financial means to pay the mortgage and ended up in foreclosure.

Attorney General Cox has made prosecuting mortgage fraud a priority for his office.  In 2008, Cox created a mortgage fraud unit, teaming up with the Michigan State Police and other law enforcement agencies to tackle the problem.  These defendants represented the 21^st person or company charged in the last 12 months by the Attorney General with a mortgage fraud-related offense.  Cox's office has also held several mortgage foreclosure forums to help families stay in their homes during these difficult times.

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