Utah AG Files Criminal Theft, Racketeering, Communications Fraud Charges Against Owner Of Loan Modification Ripoff Shop

From the Office of the Utah Attorney General:

• The owner of a loan modification business with offices in Lehi and St. George has been charged with 9 felony counts for allegedly defrauding hundreds of desperate homeowners. David Shawn Moffitt, 34, operated Fortified Financial, Fortified Academy and Wasatch Rent 2 Own between 2009 and 2010.



• According to court documents, Moffitt charged between $2,500 to $3,000 to modify a loan so they would not lose their homes. Customers were promised a full refund if they were not satisfied.



• However, Moffitt allegedly refused to give refunds to as many as 200 eligible clients money because the money was being used to pay for personal expenses, including food, rent, entertainment and even $4,000 for his wife’s plastic surgery.

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• Company accountants found that Moffitt and his wife took $124,000 in 2009 and $72,000 in 2010 from Fortified and and other $33,000 was transferred to Wasatch Rent 2 Own during those two years. During the same time, Fortified employee paychecks started to bounce and bonuses were not paid.



• "This scam should be a warning to everyone to take a hard look at anyone before trusting them with your money and especially your home," says Department of Commerce Executive Director Francine Giani. "I would like to personally thank Assistant Attorney General Che Arguello and the entire Criminal Justice Division of the Attorneys General’s Office for their tireless efforts in assisting the Department of Commerce fight fraud in Utah."



• After an investigation by Utah Division of Real Estate Chief Investigator Kent Nelson, Assistant Attorney General Che Arguello filed 7 second-degree felony counts of communications fraud, theft and racketeering and 2 third-degree felony counts of theft.

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• Last March, Moffitt was ordered to pay $92,000 in actual damages and $2 million in punitive damages after a civil lawsuit was filed by former clients.

For the Utah AG press release, see Loan Modifier Faces Felonies For Defrauding Homeowners.