The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is reporting the arrest of 45-year-old Wendell Jamon Jones for defrauding foreclosed on homeowners out of thousands of dollars through up-front fees, ostensibly to save them from foreclosure. According to Charles Huang, Deputy District Attorney of the Real Estate Fraud Unit, “Such pre-payments for loan modifications are illegal.” Huang said, “Wendell Jamon Jones did little or no work for the charged fee.” It was also found that Jones had done little or nothing to help save their homes from foreclosing.
Wendell Jamon Jones booking photo
Jones has been charged with six counts of grand theft, and one count of practicing law on a suspended license. Jones is facing seven years in prison for the theft and is expected to appear in the Superior Court Hall of Justice in February 4, 2015 to face charges and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
“California law is intended to offer protection to those in dire financial straits and in danger of losing their homes,” said prosecutor Charles Huang. “The District Attorney’s Office will defend homeowners against those who would target their vulnerability for illegal profit.”
According to the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office, “An investigation found that Jones, whose office is located at 910 E. Hamilton Avenue in Campbell, employed teams of unlicensed street agents to go into the homes of families facing foreclosure.” Jones had another office on Bascom Street according to listing information,
The investigation further determined that agents promised the victims that Jones could save their homes from foreclosure by performing a loan modification on their mortgages. This is when Jones would collect an illegal upfront fee of more than $3,000 from the victims.
Santa Clara District Attorney’s fraud unit investigators have identified at least five victims who have complained they were defrauded by Jones. Investigators believe that Jones targeted Spanish-speaking Santa Clara County victims.
Jones was recently suspended by the California State Bar after he stipulated to taking upfront fees for promised loan modifications.
Two reviews on his Yelp page paint contrasting views of his service. One posted in August last year states “Law office of Wendell Jones is the absolute best choice when it comes to hiring an attorney with integrity. Wendell Jones is someone very professional who has saved a countless amount of my clients who have been on the verge of losing their home through foreclosure. I highly recommend Wendell and his team to anyone who is seeking an attorney who will follow through with their commitments. Wendell and his team are simply “The Real Deal!”. But the other review, posted in November, simply says “In 2011 ,he cost me everything. I ended up loosing 2 houses. Run..”.
Anyone who has any further information or was a victim of this scam is encouraged to contact District Attorney Investigator Melinda O’Neil, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (408) 792-2604.
