Attorney Steven Ruza Accused Of Victimizing 143 Homeowners In Loan Mod Scam

A suburban Detroit attorney is facing up to 20 years in prison for operating a loan mod scam. Steven Barry Ruza is being charged with 30 felonies including racketeering. Ruza allegedly raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also allegedly victimized three banks and 143 separate homeowners.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed charges last week against Ruza and his company Home Legal Group PLLC.

The Michigan AG’s complaint states Ruza and Home Legal Group promised victims mortgage modifications. In addition, Ruza promised he could save their homes from foreclosure.

Ruza and Home Legal Group allegedly did very little to obtain mortgage modifications for the victims. The majority of his clients lost their homes to foreclosure.

Andrea Bitely told Brian O’Connor at the Detroit News:

We’ve been investigating Ruza for more than a year. Several victims contacted our office and lodged complaints about how they had lost their home even though they allegedly paid Ruza to help them save it.

Ruza charged homeowners ranged from $300 to $3,600.

According to the Detroit News:

“In 1994, Ruza was put on probation for 13 months by the Attorney Discipline Board of the state Supreme Court after being convicted of “two alcohol-related driving offenses,” as well as driving on a suspended license and failing to appear in court and at probation appointments.

You can see the Michigan AG’s complaint below.

Ruza Complaint 1