By Rick Daysog
rdaysog@sacbee.com
FBI agents arrested the head of a mortgage rescue operation that allegedly defrauded homeowners in Placer and Merced counties.
A federal grand jury indicted 44-year-old John Marcus Desenberg, formerly of Newbury Park, Calif., on 10 counts of mail fraud on Thursday.
Federal prosecutors said that Desenberg, who headed a company called Creative Lending Solutions, operated a fraudulent "fresh start" program that offered to keep distressed homeowners in their residences at a cost of $15,000 to $20,000.
"Foreclosure rescue schemes target homeowners when they are most vulnerable - when they fear losing their homes," said U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner.
According to the indictment, Desenberg promised to find investors who would purchase homes from troubled owners but would allow the owners to stay in their homes until they repaired their credit and were able to buy back their homes.
The indictment said that Desenberg failed to ensure that the investors made mortgage payments for the properties, which later went into foreclosure.
Mail fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.









About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.