Sunday, April 07, 2013

Real Estate Attorney Cops Multiple Guilty Pleas In Connection With Ripoffs Totaling Approx. $2M In Closing Cash, Buyer Deposits From Real Estate Transactions

From the Office of the Westchester County, New York District Attorney:
  • Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced [] that Kevin Hymes (DOB 01/30/73) of 3 Evergreen Road, North Castle, New York, pled guilty to:

    * two counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, class “C” Felonies,
    * two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies,
    * one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class “E” Felony,

    relating to the theft of approximately $2,000,000.

    Over a five and one half year period, between Jan. 1, 2007, and June 27, 2012, the defendant, who was a real estate attorney with an office in White Plains, defrauded several individuals and entities by making false representations in connection with real estate closings.

    In March 2010, the defendant while acting in his capacity as attorney for two clients in connection with the sale of real property, stole $318,453.33 by concealing the date and time of the real estate closing and by failing to forward the monies.

    Between May 20, 2010, and June 22, 2010, acting in his capacity as attorney for the seller of property, the defendant stole a $33,000 deposit from a prospective purchaser.

    Between Nov. 8, 2010, and Nov. 9, 2010, the defendant acting in his capacity as attorney for the seller of property, stole a $10,000 deposit from a prospective purchaser.

    Between March 21, 2011, and April 13, 2011, the defendant, acting in his capacity as an attorney for the seller of property, stole $123,500 by failing to forward the deposit and by personally using the money.

    Additionally, the defendant also stole approximately $1.4 million dollars in his capacity as a closing agent for several banks.

posted by Home Equity Theft Reporter at 4:02 AM