Englewood Cliffs mother, daughter charged in $300,000 real estate fraud

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A self-employed consultant from Englewood Cliffs and her daughter scammed clients out of $300,000 – sending some of the victims’ properties into foreclosure – for services that they said included attorney’s fees, escrow funds and processing costs, authorities said this afternoon.

Photo Credit: *Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE*

Jerry DeMarco

04/15/2014 5:28 p.m.

Instead, Anna Lee, 54, laundered the money through hers and her daughter’s personal accounts, then used it for herself, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

She and her daughter, 25-year-old Jennifer Lee of downtown Manhattan, were being held on $75,000 bail each in the Bergen County Jail following their arrests yesterday. Both also had to surrender their passports.

Molinelli said the elder Lee (above, left) “represented several victims in loan modification agreements for their residence and/or rental properties.”

After taking their money, he said, she laundered through her business, Donche Consulting Corporation. Jennifer Lee (above, right) did the same through her personal bank accounts, Molinelli said.

Both are charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Anna Lee also was charged with theft and misconduct by a corporate officer.

Molinelli said the investigation was conducted by his White Collar Crimes Squad in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Office of Criminal Investigation.
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

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