Home Saver Charged with Grand Larceny in NY Loan Scheme

A New York entrepreneur who advertised as a "home saver" faces 46 felony charges for allegedly defrauding homeowners seeking loan modifications. Lauren Taliento, president of JT Homesavers, was indicted on counts including grand larceny, petit larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property. She pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors allege Taliento instructed homeowners to pay her directly as an intermediary for mortgage payments, but she did not forward the funds to lenders. Instead, the payments were allegedly used by Taliento. One accuser, retired New York City subway conductor Miguel Mora, 60, stated his credit was ruined due to 20 months of unpaid mortgage payments appearing on his report. "People like her need to be stopped," Mora told ABC News. "Her business wants to take people's homes and take their money. And now that she's being stopped, I'm really happy and elated with this." Mora is the sole alleged victim named in the current indictment.

Taliento was released without bail. She told a local news outlet by phone that she "truly cared about these people" and was "available to them 24/7," expressing shock at the charges. She claimed, "this is far from a scam." When asked about homeowners losing their properties, Taliento blamed banks, investors, and predatory lending, asserting, "It wasn't because of me." She faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge.

Three Staten Island residents who attended Taliento's hearing hope for additional charges. Donna Manitta, Fabiana Polizzi, and Constance Pantazis claim they lost their homes to foreclosure after paying JT Homesavers for loan modification services. Polizzi was previously featured in an investigation into "home savers" in July.

The Richmond County District Attorney's Office indicated the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow. Prosecutors requested Taliento be restricted from continuing loan modification services as a condition of her release, but the judge withdrew the request, allowing her business to operate while she awaits trial. Taliento is scheduled to return to court in November.