Attorney General Enters Agreement with Fraudulent Broker

Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakley's office has entered into a judgment with Valerie Hanserd, an attorney from Brockton, Mass., resolving allegations of her role as a closing attorney in two companion lawsuits that both allege unfair practices with respect to mortgage brokering services. The first lawsuit involved Ms. Hanserd's closing of a loan allegedly obtained by using false and forged documents and the second lawsuit involved allegations relating to her participation in an unfair and deceptive foreclosure rescue scheme. Under the terms of the consent judgment, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, Hanserd must refrain from acting as a real estate closing attorney or title agent for seven years retroactive to April 27, 2007. In addition, Hanserd must pay $80,000 in restitution to victims of foreclosure rescue schemes as well as $35,000 in fees and penalties to the state. The settlement against Valerie Hanserd resolves allegations against her as the closing attorney in both cases.