Staten Island foreclosure-prevention company president faces 46 charges; prosecutors allege homeowners were misled and thousands of dollars taken
Fauzia J. Choudhury:
— A Staten Island foreclosure-prevention company president is facing 46 criminal charges after prosecutors accused her of taking tens of thousands of dollars from homeowners who believed she could help them lower mortgage payments and avoid foreclosure.
Lauren Taliento, 51, president of JT Homesavers, was arraigned Monday in Staten Island Criminal Court. She faces charges including third-degree grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, according to prosecutors.
The case centers on allegations that financially struggling homeowners sought help from Taliento and her company but instead were left facing serious financial consequences.
One alleged victim, Miguel Mora, 60, a retired subway conductor from Plainfield, New Jersey, said he contacted JT Homesavers in 2024 after struggling to keep up with his mortgage. Mora said he was told his monthly payments could be reduced.
According to Mora, he provided approximately $8,200 in back mortgage payments, along with more than $14,000 in checks and cash.
But nearly 20 months later, Mora said his bank told him it had no documentation of the proposed arrangement. Although he did not lose his home, he said his credit was damaged.
The allegations extend beyond Mora. Three Staten Island women appeared in court Monday and said they too had sought help from Taliento and believed they were victims of the alleged scheme. One woman said she sought assistance with a loan modification but ultimately lost her home.
Prosecutors allege Taliento instructed clients not to make mortgage payments while they waited for refinancing or other assistance, while allegedly keeping money paid to her company.
Taliento was released under supervision and was ordered to stay away from the named victim. She was also asked to surrender her passport, but told the court she does not have one.
Taliento denies the accusations. She said she cared deeply about her clients and blamed banks for the foreclosures.
The case is scheduled to return to court in November.
The charges are allegations, and Taliento is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
