Alleged Theft Of Back Tax Money Results In Foreclosure For NJ Homeowner

The Express-Times reports that Northampton County, New Jersey detectives have arrested Philip A. Simonetta and have charged him with stealing $2,500 earmarked to pay a local woman's back taxes and prevent a mortgage foreclosure on her home. Reportedly, Simonetta, who told the homeowner that he worked for Apex Mortgage, was given the $2,500 with the understanding that he would wire her money to the mortgage lender. He subsequently told her that he wired the money to the lender and that her home would not be listed for sheriff's sale. About a week later, an agent for a local real estate brokerage showed up at the woman's front door, advising her that the brokerage bought the home at the sale. For more, see Police say man stole woman's tax payment.