Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last Friday announced that he has charged Tyrone DeShazer Jr., 54 of Detroit, with one count of Larceny by Conversion by Making False Statements $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 about a short sale of the victim's home to obtain $5,900, and one count of Interfering with a Police Investigation for offering to repay the victim if they would drop their complaint with the Attorney General's Office.
"This hard-working individual took the recommendation of their neighbor to use someone they thought they could trust with their money and their home," said Schuette. "In turn, this man took advantage of their good faith, robbing them of both house and home. When something doesn't feel quite right, it's important we ask questions and pay attention."
The first charge is a felony punishable by five years in prison and/or $10,000, or three times the value of the property stolen, whichever is greater. Interfering with a Police Investigation is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and/or $1,000.
DeShazer was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 9, and arraigned on Thursday, Aug. 10, in 36th District Court by Judge Kenneth J. King. Bond was set at $5,000 cash/surety (10%). A probable cause hearing is set for Aug. 17, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. and the preliminary examination is scheduled for Aug. 22 at 8:30.
In 2012, the victim decided they wanted to sell their home in Detroit through a short sale. They were recommended by a neighbor to use DeShazer and his company, Mitoshe Realty Group. The individual was allegedly current on all of their mortgage payments at the time they contacted DeShazer.
The victim initially paid $1,000 to DeShazer as "earnest money," and signed an authorization for DeShazer to seek approval from U.S. Bank on their behalf. It was at this time that DeShazer allegedly told the victim to stop making their monthly mortgage payments and to save their money to fix up the house. DeShazer allegedly told them that the entire process would take less than six months, and that the bank had allegedly agreed to the short sale of their home for $6,100.
They allegedly then gave DeShazer another check for $5,900 to put into escrow to complete the sale on behalf of the victim's daughter. Soon after, they began receiving letters in the mail stating that their house was being foreclosed on, and that a Sheriff's Sale was scheduled. Each time they received a letter, the victim allegedly contacted DeShazer with concern, but DeShazer allegedly told them that it was "normal."
In November, 2014, the victim was forced to leave their house. DeShazer allegedly offered to repay the victim $500, and to continue making payments after that if the individual would drop all charges. On March 27, 2015, the victim filed a police report with the Detroit Police Department, as well as a complaint with LARA.
The Department of Attorney General's Corporate Oversight Division became involved in the investigation beginning in 2014 and conducted interviews in January, 2016.
Published: Tue, Aug 15, 2017
