Housing Scam
Way out of foreclosure a dead end
An investigation by The Day found more than a half-dozen instances across the state in which property owners facing foreclosure believe they were misled by a scheme run by a man convicted of similar illegal activitiy in New Jersey in 2003.
GALLERIES: Housing Scam
Attorney in housing fraud scheme suspended from law for six years
Attorney Bradford Barneys, who admitted at his sentencing in U.S. District Court in July that he "put a stain on the legal profession" when he took part in a mortgage faaud scam, has been suspended from practicing law in Connecticut for six years.
Attorney sentenced in long-running mortgage fraud scam
Attorney Bradford Barneys admitted he had put a stain on the legal profession as he was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison for conspiring with convicted con artist Timothy Burke to defraud distressed homeowners in a long-running scam.
'Incorrigible fraudster' to serve 9 years for housing scam, tax evasion
U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea sentenced con man Timothy W. Burke to 9 years in prison Friday, saying the scheme in which Burke took in millions at the expense of financially troubled homeowners was one of the most serious white-collar crimes the judge had seen.
Attorney pleads guilty in distressed homeowner fraud scheme
Bridgeport Attorney Bradford Barneys faces up to 20 years in prison when Judge Michael P. Shea sentences him on June 13 for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
Man of many aliases pleads guilty to bilking distressed homeowners
Published January 24, 2017
Timothy W. Burke, who did business throughout Connecticut using more than a dozen aliases, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford in connection with a long-running fraud scheme that targeted distressed homeowners.
MORE STORIES: Housing Scam
Connecticut man remains held on bond for his role in alleged housing scam
An Easton man arrested last week on federal charges for operating a mortgage-fraud scheme that targeted homeowners who were on the verge of losing their homes remains in federal custody.
New victim comes forward in alleged housing scheme
Published December 17, 2014
Marilyn Mejias came forward after an investigation in The Day last month found more than a half-dozen instances across the state in which property owners facing foreclosure believe they were victims of a scheme run by a man convicted of similar illegal activity in New Jersey.
Homeowners facing scams have options
Published November 17, 2014
The state Office of the Attorney General has received five complaints against Saunders Associates, a Fairfield-based private investment company that promises to buy foreclosed properties but instead rents them out, often without the knowledge of the homeowner.
New London home among those caught in alleged scam
Published November 17, 2014
Bill Burke of Realty Partners Group told Donald Pardy he wanted to buy Pardy's house in New London and would maintain the property while he negotiated a sale with the bank. Instead, he listed it for rent on Craigslist and was about to accept a renter's deposit.
Waterbury tenant slow to see warning signs of housing scam
Published November 17, 2014
Ashley Baron wrote a check for $1,350 to New Haven Investments, care of attorney Bradford Barneys to cover the first month's rent on a house in Waterbury, but became suspicious when no credit check was done, no repairs were made, and she found a "for sale" sign in the bushes.
Knock on the door brings two housing scam victims face to face
Published November 16, 2014
Henry McDonald, whose Andover home was in foreclosure, thought he had a deal with Realty Partners Group to buy his property. The purchase never happened, but the home was rented out without McDonald's knowledge.
Property owners, tenants identify man who agreed to buy, rent homes
Published November 16, 2014
An investigation by The Day found more than a half-dozen instances across the state where property owners facing foreclosure believe they were misled and taken advantage of by Timothy W. Burke and companies that he is associated with.
Housing Scam VIDEOS
OPINION
Make scam artists pay a steep price
Day investigative reporting uncovered scam, now law enforcement needs to act.