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A Howell businesswoman admitted Friday to charging customers money upfront for loan-modification services, but she denied failing to perform the services promised and denied pocketing any money.
The Michigan attorney general’s office had initially charged Michelle Rene Garbuschewski; her Howell business Elite Mortgage Relief; and her partner, Lisa Marie Joboulian of Northville; with felony charges of obtaining at least $1,000 but less than $20,000 under false pretenses.
However, those charges were dismissed Friday and the women were arraigned on misdemeanor charges of violating the Credit Services Protection Act for allegedly illegally charging homeowners facing foreclosure upfront fees for mortgage-modification assistance. The charge carries a penalty of up to 93 days in jail and up to $1,000 fine.
“We took money upfront,” Garbuschewski said Friday in a telephone interview.
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