Ind. AG sues 2 foreclosure consulting companies

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — The Indiana attorney general’s office is suing two companies it says preyed on Hoosiers trying to save their homes from foreclosure.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Porter County court in Valparaiso alleges that Community One Law Center and National Law Partners collected money up front and didn’t give refunds to customers after failing to provide credit or foreclosure counseling services.

The state says people in 13 counties paid deposits ranging from $499 to $2,699 to sign contracts with the Florida-based companies, which it says failed to obtain authority from the state to do business in Indiana. The suit seeks restitution for the 15 victims, civil penalties and attorneys’ fees.

A message seeking comment was left with defendant Howard Feinmel, who the state says is both companies’ owner or agent.