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IN THE MATTER OF: HOME CREDIT LAW CENTER UNITED PROCESSING (collectively, "Respondents") * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
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TEMPORARY ORDER TO NOTICE OF INTENT TO IMPOSE AND NOTICE OF RIGHT TO HEARING |
I. LEGAL AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION
The Banking Commissioner (“Commissioner”) is charged with the administration of Sections 36a-671 to 36a-671e, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes contained in Part II of Chapter 669 of the Connecticut General Statutes, “Debt Adjusters and Debt Negotiation”.
Pursuant to the authority granted by Section 36a-17(a) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes, the Commissioner, through the Consumer Credit Division of the Department of Banking, has investigated the activities of Respondents to determine if they have violated, are violating or are about to violate the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner.
Section 36a-17(a) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes provides:
The commissioner, in the commissioner’s discretion, may make such public or private investigations or examinations within or outside this state, concerning any person subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner, as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the duties of the commissioner.
Section 36a-52 of the Connecticut General Statutes provides, in pertinent part, that:
(a) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person has violated, is violating or is about to violate any provision of the general statutes within the jurisdiction of the commissioner, . . . the commissioner may send a notice to such person by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt. The notice shall be deemed received by the person on the earlier of the date of actual receipt, or seven days after mailing or sending. Any such notice shall include: (1) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing; (2) a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; (3) a reference to the particular sections of the general statutes . . . alleged to have been violated; (4) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted; and (5) a statement indicating that such person may file a written request for a hearing on the matters asserted within fourteen days of receipt of the notice. If a hearing is requested within the time specified in the notice, the commissioner shall hold a hearing upon the matters asserted in the notice, unless the person fails to appear at the hearing. After the hearing, the commissioner shall determine whether an order to cease and desist should be issued against the person named in the notice. If the person does not request a hearing within the time specified in the notice or fails to appear at the hearing, the commissioner shall issue an order to cease and desist against the person. No such order shall be issued except in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
(b) If the commissioner finds that the public welfare requires immediate action, the commissioner may incorporate a finding to that effect in the notice sent in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and issue a temporary order requiring the person to cease and desist from the activity which constitutes such alleged violation and to take or refrain from taking such action as in the opinion of the commissioner will effectuate the purposes of this section. Such temporary order shall become effective on receipt and, unless set aside or modified by a court, shall remain in effect until the effective date of a permanent order or dismissal of the matters asserted in the notice.
Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes provides, in pertinent part, that:
(1) Whenever the commissioner finds as the result of an investigation that any person has violated any provision of the general statutes within the jurisdiction of the commissioner, . . . the commissioner may send a notice to such person by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any express delivery carrier that provides a dated delivery receipt. The notice shall be deemed received by the person on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or seven days after mailing or sending. Any such notice shall include: (A) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing; (B) a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; (C) a reference to the particular sections of the general statutes . . . alleged to have been violated; (D) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted; (E) the maximum penalty that may be imposed for such violation; and (F) a statement indicating that such person may file a written request for a hearing on the matters asserted within fourteen days of receipt of the notice.
(2) If a hearing is requested within the time specified in the notice, the commissioner shall hold a hearing upon the matters asserted in the notice unless such person fails to appear at the hearing. After the hearing, if the commissioner finds that the person has violated any such provision, . . . the commissioner may, in the commissioner’s discretion and in addition to any other remedy authorized by law, order that a civil penalty not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person. If such person does not request a hearing within the time specified in the notice or fails to appear at the hearing, the commissioner may, as the facts require, order that a civil penalty not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars per violation be imposed upon such person.
(3) Each action undertaken by the commissioner under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.
Section 36a-671a(c) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes provides, in pertinent part, that:
Upon complaint, the commissioner may review any fees or charges assessed by a person engaging or offering to engage in debt negotiation services and order the reduction of such fees or charges or repayment of such amount of the fees or charges that the commissioner deems excessive, taking into consideration the fees that other persons performing similar debt negotiation services charge for such services and the benefit to the consumer of such services. . . .
II. MATTERS ASSERTED
| 1. |
Home Credit is a purported law firm with an office at 9854 National Boulevard, Suite 242, Los Angeles, California. |
| 2. |
Brian R. Linnekens is a California attorney and President of Home Credit. |
| 3. |
United Processing is a California corporation with an office at 14252 Culver Drive # 520, Irvine, California. |
| 4. |
On March 4, 2011, a Connecticut resident received an e-mail from a representative of Consumer Mortgage Counseling Services of America (“CMCSOA”) describing the debt negotiation services offered by CMCSOA and Home Credit.
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| 5. |
On March 8, 2011, the Connecticut resident and his wife (“Connecticut residents”) received another email from CMCSOA which stated, in part, that “as I said on the voicemail I left you, all the info you requested on HCLC is in the contract. Mr. Linnekens personally supervises all cases, but there is no negotiator assigned to your file until you formally become a client. Please get the contract and supporting docs back to me as soon as possible, and then we’ll hit the ground running”. Included with the e-mail was an application, which included a document entitled “Limited Power of Attorney & Borrower Authorization”, which would allow a borrower to appoint Home Credit and United Processing as the borrower’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact to, among other things, “contact the above referenced lender regarding my existing mortgage loan for the purpose of negotiating a workout agreement or modification”. |
| 6. |
On March 11, 2011, the Connecticut residents, while physically present in this state, entered into an agreement with Home Credit for debt negotiation services. The Purpose provision of the agreement states that “[c]lient hereby retains . . . [Home Credit] and its affiliates and Consultants to prepare a plan for helping the Client acquire and analyze proposed solutions that may help the Client improve their negotiations with their lender”. |
| 7. |
On July 15, 2011, one of the Connecticut residents filed a complaint with the Commissioner in which the Connecticut resident stated that:
The company after receiving my information said they could get me into a loan modification program. They said that they could work with my mortgage company or a bank to get my monthly payments reduced. The cost was $4100.00 which was taken out in three installments from my wife’s checking account. They also told me not to talk to any staff from the mortgage company that they will take care of that. The payment of $4,100 for such debt negotiation services was in excess of amounts that debt negotiators may charge for services pursuant to the Schedule of Maximum Fees established by the Commissioner on or about October 1, 2009. |
| 8. | At no time relevant hereto were Respondents licensed to engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state, nor did Respondents qualify for an exemption from licensure. |
| 9. | At no time relevant hereto did Respondents perform or successfully complete the services specified in the agreement. |
| 10. |
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Home Credit admitted that it had other Connecticut clients, and claims that it is not a debt negotiator.
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III. STATUTORY BASIS FOR ORDER TO CEASE
AND DESIST AND IMPOSITION OF CIVIL PENALTY
Section 36a-671(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes provides, in pertinent part, that:
As used in this section and sections 36a-671a to 36a-671d, inclusive, (1) “debt negotiation” means, for or with the expectation of a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, assisting a debtor in negotiating or attempting to negotiate on behalf of a debtor the terms of a debtor’s obligations with one or more mortgagees or creditors of the debtor, . . .; (2) “debtor” means any individual who has incurred indebtedness or owes a debt for personal, family or household purposes; . . . (4) “mortgagor” means a debtor who is an owner of residential property, including, but not limited to, a single-family unit in a common interest community, who is also the borrower under a mortgage encumbering such residential property; . . . and (7) “residential property” means one-to-four family owner-occupied real property.
Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011, provided, in pertinent part, that:
No person shall engage or offer to engage in debt negotiation in this state without a license issued under this section for each location where debt negotiation will be conducted. . . . A person is engaging in debt negotiation in this state if such person: . . . (2) has a place of business located outside of this state and the debtor is a resident of this state who negotiates or agrees to the terms of the services contract in person, by mail, by telephone or via the Internet while physically present in this state . . .
Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, provided, in pertinent part, that:
Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person has violated, is violating or is about to violate the provisions of sections 36a-671 to 36a-671d, inclusive, . . . the commissioner may take action against such person . . . in accordance with sections 36a-50 and 36a-52.
| 1. |
Home Credit’s engaging in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license, as more fully described in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 through 10, inclusive, of the Matters Asserted, constitutes a violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011. Such violation forms the basis to issue an order to cease and desist pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, and Section 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a civil penalty pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, and Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes authorizes the Commissioner to impose a civil penalty upon Home Credit in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation. |
| 2. |
United Processing’s offering to engage in debt negotiation in this state without obtaining the required license, as more fully described in paragraphs 3 and 5, of the Matters Asserted, constitutes a violation of Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011. Such violation forms the basis to issue an order to cease and desist pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, and Section 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a civil penalty pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, and Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes authorizes the Commissioner to impose a civil penalty upon United Processing in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation.
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IV. FINDING AND STATUTORY BASIS FOR
TEMPORARY ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST
The Commissioner finds that public welfare requires immediate action to issue a temporary order requiring Respondents to cease and desist from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011, and to take such action as set forth herein to effectuate the purposes of Section 36a-52(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in that the interests of Connecticut residents, who are already in debt, are being materially prejudiced, and future Connecticut debtors who may do business with Respondents require protection when Respondents continue to offer debt negotiation without the required license. The Commissioner also finds the payment of $4,100 in fees by the Connecticut residents to be excessive, upon consideration of the fact that such fees are in excess of amounts allowed by the Schedule of Maximum Fees issued by the Commissioner, the debt negotiation services contract was not successfully completed and the Connecticut residents received no benefit from such contract.
V. TEMPORARY ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST, NOTICE OF INTENT TO
ISSUE ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST, NOTICE OF INTENT TO IMPOSE
CIVIL PENALTY AND NOTICE OF RIGHT TO HEARING
WHEREAS, the Commissioner has reason to believe that Respondents have engaged in acts or conduct which forms the basis to issue an order to cease and desist pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, and Section 36a-52(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and impose a civil penalty pursuant to Section 36a-671a(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to July 13, 2011, and Section 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
AND WHEREAS, the Commissioner has made the finding required under Section 36a-52(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
THE COMMISSIONER THEREFORE ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-52(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that Home Credit Law Center and United Processing Center, Inc., immediately CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011. This Temporary Order shall become effective upon receipt by Home Credit Law Center and United Processing Loan Center, Inc., and, unless set aside or modified by a court, shall remain in effect until the effective date of a permanent order or dismissal of the matters asserted in this Temporary Order.
THE COMMISSIONER FURTHER ORDERS, pursuant to Section 36a-671a(c) of the 2012 Supplement to the General Statutes and Section 36a-52(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, that: Not later than 10 days from receipt of this Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing, Home Credit Law Center shall:
| 1. |
Provide repayment of $4,100 to the Connecticut residents identified in Exhibit A by cashier’s check, certified check or money order; and |
| 2. |
Provide to Carmine Costa, Director, Consumer Credit Division, Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800, or carmine.costa@ct.gov, evidence of such repayment and a list of all Connecticut residents with whom Home Credit Law Center has entered into agreements for debt negotiation services to date where such agreements were entered into on and after October 1, 2009. Such submission shall include: (a) a copy of each agreement pursuant to which Home Credit Law Center provided or is providing such debt negotiation services; and (b) a list of each debtor’s name and address and full itemization of each debtor’s payments made pursuant to the agreement, specifying the dates, amounts and to whom such payments were made. |
NOW THEREFORE, notice is hereby given to Respondents that the Commissioner intends to issue an order requiring Respondents to CEASE AND DESIST from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011, and impose a CIVIL PENALTY upon Respondents as set forth herein, subject to each Respondent’s right to a hearing on the allegations set forth above.
A hearing will be granted to each Respondent if a written request for a hearing is received by the Department of Banking, Consumer Credit Division, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1800 within fourteen (14) days following each Respondent’s receipt of this Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing as set forth in Sections 36a-52(a) and 36a-50(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes. This Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt, or seven days after mailing or sending. The enclosed Appearance and Request for Hearing Form must be completed and mailed to the above address. If any Respondent will not be represented by an attorney at the hearing, please complete the Appearance and Request for Hearing Form as “pro se”. Once a written request for a hearing is received, the Commissioner may issue a notification of hearing and designation of hearing officer that acknowledges receipt of a request for a hearing, designates a hearing officer and sets the date of the hearing in accordance with Section 4-177 of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 36a-1-21 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. If a hearing is requested, the hearing will be held on June 19, 2012, at 10 a.m., at the Department of Banking, 260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut.
The hearing will be held in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes, unless Respondents fail to appear at the requested hearing. At such hearing, Respondents will have the right to appear and present evidence, rebuttal evidence and argument on all issues of fact and law to be considered by the Commissioner.
If Home Credit does not request a hearing within the time prescribed, the Commissioner will issue an order that Home Credit cease and desist from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011, issue an order of repayment of fees to the Connecticut residents, and may order a civil penalty not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation be imposed upon Home Credit.
If United Processing does not request a hearing within the time prescribed, the Commissioner will issue an order that United Processing cease and desist from violating Section 36a-671(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes, in effect prior to October 1, 2011, and may order a civil penalty not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per violation be imposed upon United Processing.
So ordered at Hartford, Connecticut
this 26th of April 2012. ________/s/_________
Howard F. Pitkin
Banking Commissioner
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that on this 27th day of April 2012, the foregoing Temporary Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Issue Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Impose Civil Penalty and Notice of Right to Hearing was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Home Credit Law Center, Attention: Brian R. Linnekens, President, 9854 National Boulevard, Suite 242, Los Angeles, California 90034, certified mail no. 70112000000247358000; and United Processing Center, Inc., Attention: Eric Shiwlall, Agent for Service of Process, 14252 Culver Drive #520, Irvine, California 92604, certified mail no. 70112000000247358208.
________/s/_________
Doniel Kitt
Prosecuting Attorney