Oct 26, 2009 12:04 pm US/Central
State Busts Apartment Rental Scam
Unlicensed Real Estate Agent Accused Of Copying Craigslist Ads For Own Web Site
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
An unlicensed real estate agent was named in a state complaint Monday for allegedly stealing rental listings from Craigslist and posting them on his own Web site.
Thomas Tully is named in the complaint filed by the Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation, according to a release from the department. Tully, working from an unlicensed office of Agency Real Estate Brokerage, allegedly copied the listings Craigslist and posted them on rentfromtommy.com or reposted them on Craigslist with his contact information without permission or knowledge of the actual owners.
The state Mortgage Fraud Task Force got wind of the scam when one of Tully's employees complained that he threatened employees with physical harm, the release said. Tully allegedly threatened two employees, saying he would "break every bone in [their] bodies."
According to the complaint, a police report was filed by an employee with Alsip police on Aug. 18.
Tully was operating out of an office at 1629 N. Halsted St. in Chicago, according to the complaint.
Tully would take the first month's rent and pay it, in cash, as a "commission" to his staff, according to the release.
Tully did not work alone. Though he does not have a license to work as a real estate agent, he is alleged to have hired and managed other agents and worked with a licensed real estate saleperson, who allegedly described herself as a manager. Tully also had an ongoing business relationship with a licensed firm, Continuum Real Estate Brokers Corp.
In addition to seeking a $25,000 fine from Tully for unlicensed practice, the department has requested an order denying his pending application for a license
The department is also seeking disciplinary action against Naval Ghai of Palatine, a licensed real east salesman; licensed real estate broker Yelena Bernshtam and the firm she owns; Continuum Real Estate Brokers Corp. of Chicago; licensed real estate broker Angel Morales and his firm; and Agency Real Estate Brokerage of Chicago.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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