Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Ex-Real Estate Agent With History Of Fraudulent Conduct Sought, Faces Charges Of Allegedly Scoring POA To Fleece Since-Deceased 79-Year Old Woman In Failing Health; Emergency Court Hearing Freezes Victim's Bank Accounts, Halts Sale Of Her Home
In Lafayette, Colorado, KCNC-TV Channel 4 reports:
Lafayette Police are looking for a woman accused of exploiting a family and taking money from a 79-year-old with ailing health.
In June, the Adult Protective Services referred a case to Lafayette police for complaints against Julie Steenhoek, 53, known to the victim as “Doctor Julie.”
The investigation showed Steenhoek began a friendship with the victim and moved into her house in the spring. Eventually Steenhoek moved her husband and child into the house as the victim’s health took a turn for the worse.
Family members of the victim started contacting police when they said “Doctor Julie” was being controlling and not allowing the victim to interact with family or neighbors. Documents show the victim had given Steenhoek power of attorney. An attorney for the victim’s daughter told CBS 4 those documents were likely forged. Steenhoek had also been written into the victim’s will. The victim began to have declining health but believed “Doctor Julie’s” homeopathic therapies would cure her.
Steenhoek is not a doctor and has no formal medical training. She did begin teaching LENS therapy, but the creator of that type of therapy says Steenhoek is “scum” according to an arrest warrant.
In late June an emergency hearing was held, freezing the bank accounts of the victim and stopping the sale of her house. Many of the victim’s family members believe Steenhoek was trying to sell the house and pocket the money.
Police threw Steenhoek and her family out of the victim’s house.
On July 8 the victim died in Hospice. Her family has requested a toxicology report.
It took until August 1 for detectives to issue an arrest warrant for Steenhoek, who may have fled to Louisiana.
Steenhoek had her real estate license revoked in 2005 for attempting to commit fraud. Then she was using the name Julie Holland. A simple internet search shows Steenhoek has deceived others.
An attorney for the victim’s family believes there could be more victims. They also believe Steenhoek is still in the Denver area.
Lafayette police are hoping someone may know where Steenhoek is and will contact them.
CBC News: Betrayal of Trust (A CBC investigation reveals how lawyers across Canada have misappropriated and mishandled clients money, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, or sometimes even charging vulnerable people top dollar for shoddy services)
Land Contract/Contract For Deed/Rent-To-Own Rackets
The New York Times: The Housing Trap (In the wake of the housing crisis, low-income families have turned to seller financing to buy homes but these deals can be a money trap)
Beware The Fine Print: Consumers Forced To Sign Away Their Rights To Use Court System
The NY Times: Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice(Part 1 in series examining how clauses buried in tens of millions of contracts have deprived Americans of one of their most fundamental constitutional rights: their day in court)
Foreclosure Mills' Abysmal Record In Complying With New NYS Foreclosure Requirements
Justice Deceived: How Large Foreclosure Firms Subvert State Regulations Protecting Homeowners
MFY Legal Services Report On Questionable Practices By Process Servers In Debt Collection Cases
Justice Disserved: A Preliminary Analysis of the Exceptionally
Low Appearance Rate by Defendants in Lawsuits Filed in the Civil Court of the City of New York
Mortgage Mess Redux: Robo-Signers Return (A Reuters investigation finds that many banks are still employing the controversial foreclosure practices that sparked a major outcry last year)
CNN Video: As Foreclosures Mount, Florida Court Turns To 'Rocket Docket'
The Wall Street Journal: A Florida Court's 'Rocket Docket' Blasts Through Foreclosure Cases (2 Questions, 15 Seconds, 45 Days to Get Out; 'What's to Talk About?' Says a Judge)
"Produce The Note" Strategy When Dealing With Missing Promissory Notes In Foreclosure Actions
ABC Video: Fighting Against Foreclosure (Some homeowners have found a new tactic to keep the banks at bay)
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