Andrew Bartok and Kathleen Addario of New Jersey were arrested and charged in New York Federal Court with participating in a fraudulent Foreclosure Protection Program and repeatedly filed false statements on personal bankruptcy petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court in New York and New Jersey .
Between May 2005 and August 2009, Bartok and Addario operated a foreclosure prevention firm to target homeowners by soliciting their ability to temporarily stop foreclosure proceedings to their homes for a certain fee. From February 2009 to November 2009, Bartok and Addario received approximately $344,000 for “service” fees from homeowners.
Bartok and Addario also allegedly used false information in the name of the homeowners to file for bankruptcy in New York and New Jersey without homeowners’ knowledge or authorization.
Bartok and Addario now face a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment if convicted.
