NEW YORK – New York Lawyer Basic Letitia James right now secured the responsible plea of former Rockland County actual property agent Oscar Dais for forging the signature of a house owner to steal her property with out her information. In August 2021, Dais cast the signature of Monique Hill on a deed to take possession of a Rockland County house whereas the house was in foreclosures. Dais pleaded responsible right now in Rockland County Courtroom to forgery and violation of the House Fairness Theft Safety Act (HETPA). That is the primary conviction of a criminal offense beneath HETPA, which helps defend New Yorkers from being taken benefit of when promoting their house in foreclosures. Lawyer Basic James worked to expand HETPA in 2023 as a part of her ongoing efforts to forestall deed theft and defend New York owners.

“Oscar Dais took benefit of a house owner who was coping with a foreclosures and stole her property with out her information,” mentioned Lawyer Basic James. “No New Yorker ought to must worry that the house they personal can be stolen from them. I’ll proceed to make use of each instrument at my disposal to battle deed theft all through our state and convey scammers like Oscar Dais to justice.”

In 2016, Hill’s mortgage lender started foreclosures proceedings after she and her husband defaulted on their mortgage. In August 2021, Dais created a replica of Hill’s deed with a signature line for “Monique Clark” – Hill’s former married title which she didn’t use. Dais then cast Hill’s signature on the deed and had it falsely notarized. Dais filed the solid deed with the Rockland County Clerk’s Workplace, transferring possession of the property to an organization he managed. On the time that this deed was cast, notarized, and filed, Hill was within the Dominican Republic and had no information of the solid deed.

In October 2021, Hill reported the fraudulent deed to the Workplace of the Lawyer Basic (OAG). She then filed a civil go well with towards Dais, which remains to be pending. Because of his conviction, Dais can pay restitution to Hill and the fraudulent deed can be voided, restoring Hill’s possession of her share of the property.

The HETPA is a New York state regulation that protects owners promoting a house in foreclosures or default to a purchaser who needs to buy the house as an funding. The HETPA requires full contracts that sellers have a proper to cancel, and the regulation prevents patrons from deceiving or deceptive sellers. In 2023, Lawyer Basic James superior laws to increase HETPA to additionally defend owners with lively utility liens on their properties.

That is the newest instance of Lawyer Basic James taking motion to guard New Yorkers from deed theft. In August, Lawyer Basic James charged two people for stealing the home of an elderly woman in Queens. In February, Lawyer Basic James announced charges against a woman in Queens for stealing the home and funds of her elderly neighbor. In October 2024, Lawyer Basic James and Bronx District Lawyer Darcel Clark announced the arrests of three real estate scammers for stealing over $250,000 from New Yorkers and for his or her roles in a deed theft scheme to steal the childhood house of a Bronx resident. In April 2023, Lawyer Basic James announced two pieces of legislation to strengthen protections and remedies for victims of deed theft, each of which have been signed into regulation.

New Yorkers who consider they’re a sufferer of deed theft are inspired to contact OAG by calling 1(800) 771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or submitting a confidential criticism.

The OAG thanks the New York State Police for the prison referral and its help with this investigation and prosecution. The OAG additionally thanks the Metropolis of Pooler, Georgia Police Division and the Harford County, Maryland Sheriff’s Workplace for his or her help on this investigation.

The case was investigated by Detective Sal Ventola beneath the course of Supervising Detective Walter Lynch, and all beneath the supervision of Deputy Chief Juanita Shiny.  The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes. The audit operate was undertaken by Principal Auditor Investigator Dmitry Temis beneath the supervision of Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro. The audit staff is led by Chief Auditor Kristen Fabbri.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Lawyer Basic Lauren Sass, with preliminary investigation and help by Assistant Lawyer Basic Nazy Modiri, beneath the supervision of the Actual Property Enforcement Unit Part Chief Nicholas John Batsidis, Public Integrity Bureau Chief Gerard Murphy and Deputy Chief Kiran Heer, with help from Authorized Help Analyst Meredith Youngblood. Each the Investigations Bureau and the Public Integrity Bureau are a part of the Division for Legal Justice. The Division for Legal Justice is led by Chief Deputy Lawyer Basic José Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Lawyer Basic Jennifer Levy.