Bronx District Attorney and Attorney General Announce Arrests in Deed Theft Scheme
Deed Theft Now a Crime
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and New York State Attorney General Letitia James recently announced the arrest of three individuals accused of swindling a Bronx woman out of the lifelong home she owned – an example of deed theft, which occurs when someone uses fraud or forgery to take the title to someone else’s house.
The Arrests
Marcia Campbell, the owner and broker for Extreme Realty on White Plains Road and East 223rd Street, along with her husband Fred and their business associate Frank Palmer, all face multiple felony charges in connection to the deed theft. They are alleged to have fraudulently obtained a mortgage of $493,500 on the victim’s property at 4169 Bronxwood Ave.
Additional Charges
Marcia Campbell was charged with crimes pertaining to three other real estate scams where she allegedly took advantage of immigrant families looking to buy homes in the Bronx – including a personal friend who loaned her money for an investment. Campbell is alleged to have stolen approximately $250,000 in those incidents.
Charges and Penalties
The three individuals – and their shell company, 99 Patmor Avenue – were all charged with one count each of grand larceny in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, and falsifying business records in the first degree. Marcia Campbell was separately charged with 13 total counts of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and scheming to defraud.
New Law Protects Homeowners
Deed theft only recently became a crime, not just a civil offense, in New York. Assembly Member Landon Dais, who represents the 77th District neighborhood including Highbridge and Grand Concourse, worked with James and State Senator Zellnor Myrie to enhance laws protecting homeowners. They co-sponsored a new law that took effect in July criminalizing deed theft, making it felony grand larceny, and giving the state attorney general increased time to prosecute cases alongside local district attorneys.
Deed Theft in the Bronx and Brooklyn
Deed theft is of particular concern in the Bronx and Brooklyn, as it is common for the scams to target people of color, immigrants, and seniors, especially when the home is abandoned, in foreclosure, or has tax liens.
The Victim’s Story
Authorities in the 2019 deed theft case against Marcia Campbell allege that the Bronx victim asked Campbell to help transfer ownership of her childhood home to the victim’s sister. But Campbell, her husband, and business associate instead forged the homeowner’s signature on documents to transfer the property to their shell company, 99 Patmor Ave. Inc. They then took out a mortgage of $493,500. After obtaining the loan – and dodging questions from the homeowner – Campbell and associates defaulted. The lender eventually filed for foreclosure, leaving the victim unhoused in fall 2021. The foreclosure is now on hold following intervention from the attorney general.
Conclusion
The arrest of Marcia Campbell and her associates is a significant step in protecting homeowners in the Bronx and beyond. The new law criminalizing deed theft has already had a local impact, and the attorney general encourages New Yorkers who believe they are victims of deed theft to come forward.
FAQs
Q: What is deed theft?
A: Deed theft is when someone uses fraud or forgery to take the title to someone else’s house.
Q: How common is deed theft in the Bronx and Brooklyn?
A: Deed theft is a significant problem in the Bronx and Brooklyn, particularly targeting people of color, immigrants, and seniors.
Q: What is the penalty for deed theft?
A: The penalty for deed theft can include up to 15 years in prison.
Q: How can I report a deed theft?
A: You can report a deed theft to the New York State Attorney General’s office at 1-800-771-7755, email deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or file a confidential complaint.
