Upstate NY Widow Loses Home By "Helping A Friend"

The Times Herald-Record reports on a 76 year old, Warwick, New York widow who "made the mistake of taking out a $236,000 mortgage on her home at the request of her friend's son-in-law ... who told her he needed the money for his business. Then she left the payments in his hands — and he didn't pay a dime. One foreclosure later, [the widow] no longer owns her home." The friend's son-in-law, Mitchell Ames, also had his name added to the title to her home as part of the refinancing transaction. Once he got the cash, the widow reportedly said that she never heard from him again. When reached for the story, Mitchell Ames had no comment other than to say that he wasn't a thief who wouldn't take advantage of anybody. For more, see Trust turns to terror for Warwick widow.

For story updates, see:

• He's a 'nightmare,' accusers say of Mitchell Ames (A lawyer for the widow will be in court Sept. 27 to argue that she should be allowed to stay in her home and mount a defense in her foreclosure case with Countrywide Home Loans. She is still in the home she bought with her husband in 1967. She lives there with two adult daughters, one of whom is bedridden with multiple sclerosis.),
• North Confidential: Businessman meets with cops (9-2-07).