Attorney Cops Guilty Plea In Conspiracy To Dupe Financially Distressed Homeowners Out Of Their Homes With False Mortgage Payoff Promises, Then Use Properties In Rent Skimming Racket While Allowing Loans To Go Into Foreclosure

In Hartford, Connecticut, the Hartford Courant reports:

• A Connecticut attorney has admitted he scammed multiple homeowners who were in, or facing, foreclosure by making false promises to buy their homes and pay off their mortgages, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
  
  After gaining control of the homes, Bradford Barneys would rent them out to tenants who believed he owned the properties, the office said in a news release. Meanwhile, homeowners would continue to receive notices regarding foreclosure because Barney was not, as he'd promised, making any mortgage or tax payments.
  
  Barneys, 51, of Odenton, Md., pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court Tuesday to conspiring in the long-running fraud scheme targeting distressed homeowners throughout Connecticut. Barneys, who has a law office in the Bridgeport area, conspired with former Easton resident Timothy Burke.
  
  Between 2011 and at least 2014, Barneys participated in dozens of meetings with Burke and homeowners at his law office.
  
  Barneys pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13.
  
  Burke pleaded guilty on Jan. 24 to one count of mail fraud and one count of tax evasion. He awaits sentencing.

Source: Bridgeport Lawyer Pleads Guilty To Foreclosure Scheme.