California Injury Attorney Blog

The California State Bar said it has now shut down the loan modification businesses of two men for allegedly lying to consumers about being supervised by attorneys. The bar, which acted with the Orange County Superior Court in this case, has worked with other state and local officials to crack down on companies promising homeowner aid but not delivering it. says California Business Lawyer Steven C. Peck.

The bar alleges Curtis Melone of Huntington Beach and Christopher Fox of Redondo Beach promised to help homeowners facing foreclosure keep their properties but did nothing.

An attorney for the men was not immediately available for comment.

They can argue their case at a hearing scheduled at 1:30 p.m. on January 14, 2010, in Department 31 of the Orange County Superior Court. Their operations were halted on Dec. 21.

The duo operated under the names Guardian Credit Services, Green Credit Solutions, Green Credit Services, Erickson Law Group, Green Credit Law and PacWest Funding. A Web search indicates the companies were based primarily in Foothill Ranch and Irvine.

Here's more from the bar:

After working with the California Department of Justice, the California Department of Real Estate and the Orange County District Attorney's Office, State Bar investigators and prosecutors seized client files, terminated phone and computer services and posted notices to clients and the public about the shutdown. All officers, principals and employees of the businesses were ordered to cease and desist from holding themselves out as attorneys.
Since last March, the State Bar has aggressively sought to stop loan modification fraud by lawyers and to shut down the offices of people offering foreclosure services who represent themselves as lawyers. Thirteen attorneys have resigned in the wake of investigations by the State Bar Task Force on Loan Modification and six businesses have been closed. says California Business Lawyer Steven C. Peck.
Section 6126.3 of the Business and Professions Code gives authority to a superior court, on its own motion or upon application of the State Bar, to assume jurisdiction of the business of a person who is not a lawyer. Assumption of a law practice by a Superior Court is based upon the court finding that a person has engaged in the practice of law without being an active member of the State Bar or otherwise authorized to practice in California and that the interest of a client or interested person or entity will be prejudiced if the court does not assume jurisdiction.