Credit Repair Industry Exposé Part 3:When the Fox Guards the Henhouse

By Joeziel Vazquez

Part One

Part Two

Just when we thought this investigation couldn't get more explosive, our trail has led us straight to the doorstep of the Bronx District Attorney's office. What started as an exposé of credit repair fraud has uncovered something far more troubling: the potential involvement of a public servant in a scheme that preys on vulnerable consumers.

Sometimes the biggest frauds hide in plain sight. Sometimes they hide in district attorneys' offices. And sometimes, if you're especially lucky in your investigation, you find both. Welcome to Part 3 of our credit repair industry exposé, where the rabbit hole doesn't just go deeper – it goes straight through the justice system.

A Disturbing Discovery

In the halls where justice should be served, we've discovered something that should make every New Yorker's blood run cold. Adina Hodges, a Training Coordinator at the Bronx District Attorney's office, appears to be more than just a public servant. Our investigation suggests she's an active participant in Chanelle Jones's credit repair scheme, allegedly recruiting victims and sharing in the spoils.

Let that sink in for a moment: An employee of District Attorney Darcel D. Clark's office – someone paid with taxpayer dollars to support the administration of justice – appears to be facilitating fraud on the side.

The Million-Dollar Question

Which brings us to a question that demands answering: What kind of employees does Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark hire? And more importantly, what kind of oversight exists within her office?

When a Training Coordinator – someone responsible for shaping the skills and knowledge of others in the DA's office – allegedly participates in fraud and attempts to intimidate victims, it raises serious questions about:

1. The hiring practices within the DA's office

2. The vetting procedures for employees

3. The oversight of employees' outside activities

4. The ethical standards being enforced

5. The possible exposure of sensitive information

From Public Service to Private Predator

Our investigation reveals a troubling pattern. When one victim had the courage to leave an honest review and file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Office, Hodges allegedly responded with intimidation tactics. She sent what appears to be a self-crafted cease-and-desist letter via text message, claiming that leaving a negative review was "illegal."

The irony would be laughable if it weren't so disturbing: An employee of a District Attorney's office attempting to suppress evidence of fraud by making false legal claims.

A Direct Message to District Attorney Clark

District Attorney Clark, if you're reading this – and given what we've uncovered, you should be – here are our recommendations for immediate action:

1. Launch an internal investigation into Hodges's activities immediately

2. Review all training protocols and materials Hodges has been involved with

3. Audit employee outside business activities and conflicts of interest

4. Implement stricter vetting procedures for all employees

5. Establish clear guidelines about employees' involvement in outside business ventures

6. Create a taskforce to investigate potential exposure of sensitive information

7. Issue a public statement addressing these allegations

8. Cooperate with appropriate authorities in Texas where the credit repair fraud is occurring

The integrity of your office is at stake. The people of the Bronx deserve to know whether this is an isolated incident or symptomatic of a larger problem.

The Legal Reality

For the record, let's be unequivocally clear about something: Consumers have an absolute, legally protected right to:

1. Share truthful reviews about their experiences with businesses

2. File complaints with regulatory authorities when they believe they've been defrauded

3. Warn others about potentially fraudulent business practices

Any attempt to suppress these rights – especially by someone associated with a District Attorney's office – isn't just wrong, it's potentially criminal.

The Plot Thickens

But this might just be only a drop in a half empty bucket. Our investigation is ongoing, and we're following leads that suggest this connection between Jones's operation and the Bronx DA's office might run deeper than initially suspected.

Breaking Development: Bronx DA Office Scrambles to Contain Potential Scandal

As our investigation into credit repair fraud reaches the halls of the Bronx District Attorney's Office, the response has been swift and serious, raising questions about oversight and policy enforcement in one of New York's premier law enforcement institutions.

The Investigation Intensifies

Within hours of our inquiry, high-ranking officials within the DA's office mobilized. On Tuesday October 29th, 2024, I spoke directly with Wanda Perez, DA Bronx Chief of Investigations Division, and Herman Wong, Chief of Financial Fraud Bureau. This meeting, arranged by Director of Public Information Patrice O'shaughnessy, marks a dramatic escalation in the case's gravity.

"This is all for background," Bronx DA sources cautioned during our initial conversation. But what followed revealed troubling gaps in employee oversight.

A Tale of Partial Disclosure

According to internal sources, Hodges had indeed disclosed some outside business activities to her superiors – but not all. "Adina did advise the office that she was doing taxes as a side business," our source confirmed. The office had approved this venture with specific conditions: no soliciting clients from within the office or targeting potential investigation subjects.

But here's where it gets interesting.

"What's strange," our source revealed, "we found that she was also doing the beauty thing where they can get BBL's and all sorts of things."

This revelation raises alarming questions:

• How many undisclosed business ventures was Hodges operating?

• What oversight exists for approved outside employment?

• How are these activities monitored once approved?

• Who verifies compliance with the conditions of approval?

But as our investigation shows she doesn't only do taxes or the BBL thing that the Bronx DA office discovered, she also does credit repair:

The Intimidation Factor

Perhaps most disturbing is the apparent use of the DA's office's reputation to intimidate fraud victims. "Using the office name to intimidate people is very scary," one senior official noted, expressing particular concern about the unauthorized cease-and-desist letters.

This has prompted immediate action. Patrice O'shaughnessy, the Bronx DA director of communications,  confirmed they have "sent your email to the chief of staff and investigators for interoffice investigations."

Criminal Charges on the Table

In a stunning development, the DA's office isn't just treating this as an administrative matter. "We would like to have you talk with our investigators to see if criminal charges should be brought against her for this credit repair stuff," our source stated, indicating the seriousness with which they're treating these allegations.

Questions That Demand Answers

This investigation raises critical questions about the Bronx DA's office:

1. Policy Oversight:

   • Will this prompt a review of outside employment policies?

   • How many other employees have undisclosed business ventures?

   • What verification processes exist for approved activities?

2. Public Trust:

   • How can the public trust DA office employees aren't using their positions for personal gain?

   • What measures will be implemented to prevent future abuse?

   • How many victims were intimidated by unauthorized legal threats?

3. Institutional Response:

   • Will this lead to criminal charges against a DA's office employee?

   • What changes will be made to employee monitoring?

   • How will the office repair public trust?

4. Systemic Issues:

   • Is this an isolated incident or indicative of broader oversight failures?

   • How many other unauthorized businesses are being run by DA employees?

   • What role did institutional culture play in enabling these activities?

The Waiting Game

While O'shaughnessy emphasized, "Please don't quote me on this yet, I will release a more detailed official statement once we know more," the implications are clear. The Bronx DA's office faces a critical moment: not just in handling this specific case, but in demonstrating its commitment to public trust and institutional integrity.

A Study in Contrasts

The Bronx DA's rapid response stands in stark contrast to the deafening silence from other agencies we've contacted:

• The Texas Attorney General's Office: Missed response date and false promises to provide more information on their investigation since learning about this credit repair scam empire

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Media Relations: Silence

• Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department: Missing in action

As we await the official statement from the Bronx DA's office, one thing is clear: what began as an investigation into credit repair fraud has uncovered potentially criminal conduct within one of New York's most important law enforcement institutions.

The question now isn't just about one employee's actions – it's about the systems that enabled them, the oversight that failed to catch them, and the changes needed to prevent them from happening again.

Inside the Echo Chamber: When Facebook Groups Normalize Fraud

"I thought that was the norm," admits Edgar Cruz, a credit repair expert watching our investigation unfold. He's referring to the promises of wiping credit reports clean in "120 days or less" that have become gospel in certain circles. "There is no way the foundation is identity theft," he continues, shaking his head. "I couldn't fathom that these people were doing credit repair for 10-15 years and it was all identity theft."

Cruz's revelation cuts to the heart of our investigation. While Jones and Hodges were busy playing credit repair fairy godmothers on social media, legitimate operators like Cruz were fighting an uphill battle against their impossible promises.

"We have all been stuck in this Facebook echo chamber of credit repair about hacks and compliance," Cruz explains. "For us it's easier because we are all on Facebook on all these credit repair groups, but consumers are not doing that. They're on Twitter and other social media platforms where they think these credit sweeps are the normal."

The impact on legitimate businesses? Devastating. "This has negatively impacted me and my business because people will say 'well how come he or she can do it in 7 days and you it takes months,'" Cruz reveals. Despite the challenges, he's committed to legitimate operations: "One thing I've learned that for a bunch of years, I have been trying to be fully compliant."

Breaking Development: The DA's Office Plays Twenty Questions

On November 1, 2024, the Bronx District Attorney's office finally broke their silence. Sort of.

"Ms. Adina Hodges has been employed at the Bronx District Attorney Office from March 4, 2024, through the present," they stated, adding that they're "investigating whether she has engaged in employment outside the office without prior approval."

Oh, but wait. There's more.

"Our records indicate that she received approval to participate in Hodges Financial Solutions, tax preparation and business consulting services," the statement continues. "If our investigation yields conduct that indicates potential fraud, it would be referred to an appropriate agency, wherein the Office may seek the appointment of a special prosecutor."

Sounds reasonable, right? Just one tiny problem...

Let's talk about a little social media post from August 10, 2024, where Hodges proudly announced: "WHO NEEDS NEGATIVE ITEMS REMOVED FROM YOUR CREDIT REPORT WITHIN 7 DAYS? MY TEAM IS DOING A RAPID CREDIT REPAIR SPECIAL FOR THE 1ST 10 PPL THAT TYPE 'CREDIT'"

Notice something interesting there? "MY TEAM." Not "working with someone else's team." Not "helping out a friend." MY TEAM.

The Paper Trail: When Screenshots Tell Tales

Let's play a game called "Spot the Discrepancy."

Timeline Exhibit A:

• March 4, 2024: Hodges joins Bronx DA's office

• Disclosed Activity: Tax prep and "business consulting"

• Approved Activity: Hodges Financial Solutions

Timeline Exhibit B:

• August 10, 2024: "MY TEAM" offering 7-day credit repair

• Multiple posts advertising rapid credit repair services

• Direct client interactions regarding credit repair

• Unauthorized cease-and-desist letters

Spoiler alert: Tax preparation doesn't typically involve promising to wipe credit reports clean in a week. Unless, of course, you're preparing for a tax fraud investigation. But we'll get to that.

The Two-Front War: Building a RICO Paradise

Let's make this public letter FUN!

Relationship Status: It's Complicated (With The Law)

Dear Bronx DA's Office,

So, you've got a Texas-sized problem with a side of internal drama. Think of this as your "How to Catch a Credit Repair Predator" starter pack. While Jones and Hodges are busy playing social media influencers with other people's credit scores, let's slide into their DMs – legally speaking, of course.

When You Can't Just Block Your Problems Away

Hey Chanelle and Adina, frantically deleting those Facebook posts? Here's the thing about the internet – it's like that embarrassing photo from your high school yearbook. It never really goes away. The Wayback Machine remembers. Google Cache remembers. Even that random person who took screenshots remembers.

Pro tip: Maybe it's time to "friend request" the DA's office before they slide into your DMs with a warrant.

Your Legal Toolbox: It's Bigger on the Inside

Let's talk jurisdiction. You know how these ladies love to say they can "reach anyone, anywhere" with their credit repair services? Funny thing about that – NY Criminal Procedure Law § 20.20 works the same way. Karma's got a law degree, and she's ready to practice.

Think of NY jurisdiction like Netflix – just because the content is made in California doesn't mean New Yorkers can't stream it. When you reach into NY digitally, you're RSVPing to our legal party.

The Ultimate Squad Goals: Interstate Enforcement

Remember how Massachusetts showed those online lenders that state lines are so 2010? Let's look at some greatest hits:

1. Massachusetts v. FastBuck Lenders (2023)

   • Company: "You can't touch us, we're in Utah!"

   • Massachusetts: "Hold my legal brief..."

   • Result: $10M settlement and digital exile from MA

2. California v. CryptoScammers Anonymous (2022)

   • Scammers: "But we're decentralized!"

   • California: "So is our enforcement network"

   • Result: Complete digital blockade and asset freeze

3. Washington State v. SocialScam Influencers (2021)

   • Influencers: "It's just content!"

   • Washington: "It's just jail time!"

   • Result: Full platform ban and restitution

The Federal Friend Request (Time to Expand Your Network)

Just like Jones and Hodges love building their "business network" through friend requests, let's build our own enforcement squad:

1. IRS Criminal Investigation Division "Hey girl! 👋 Heard you like taking money from fake ERC claims! Let's chat! 💕"

2. FBI Cybercrime Unit "New fraud pattern, who dis? 📱"

3. CFPB "Spotted: Credit repair promises that are too good to be true 👀"

4. DOJ "You up? Let's talk RICO... 😈"

Screenshots: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

To our dynamic duo deleting evidence faster than teenagers cleaning their Instagram before college applications:

• The Internet Archive would like a word

• Google Cache has entered the chat

• Third-party archiving services have the receipts

• Your victims' screenshots are in our DMs

The Two-Step Verification (Of Justice)

1. Local Authentication:

   • NY Penal Law § 190.60 (Because fraud is so last season)

   • NY Penal Law § 190.25 (Impersonation is not a good look, hun)

   • NY Penal Law § 460.20 (RICO: The ultimate group chat)

2. Federal Follow:

   • Wire Fraud (Your internet activities? We've got push notifications)

   • Tax Fraud (The IRS is your most loyal follower)

   • Interstate Commerce (State lines can't ghost us)

Other States Have Done It (And Done It Better)

Remember when Minnesota told that online payday lender "Cash me outside"? They did. With a full enforcement action. Or when New Jersey slide-tackled that crypto scam operation? Digital jurisdiction for the win.

RICO: Not Just for Breakfast Anymore

Let's talk about everyone's favorite criminal enterprise statute, shall we?

Federal RICO Requirements (18 U.S.C. § 1962):

• Pattern of racketeering activity ✓

• Interstate commerce ✓

• Ongoing criminal enterprise ✓

• Multiple participants ✓

New York State RICO (Enterprise Corruption - NY Penal Law § 460.20):

• Criminal enterprise structure ✓

• Pattern of criminal activity ✓

• Intent to participate in criminal enterprise ✓

• Multiple criminal acts ✓

Look at that! We've got ourselves a RICO bingo on both federal and state levels.

The Enterprise Breakdown:

1. Interstate Operations

   • Texas-based principal (Jones)

   • New York-based facilitator (Hodges)

   • Multi-state victim pool

   • Interstate wire communications

2. Pattern of Activity

   • Fraudulent credit repair services

   • False FTC affidavits

   • Unauthorized legal threats

   • Tax preparation schemes

3. Criminal Enterprise Structure

   • Defined roles and responsibilities

   • Ongoing operational relationship

   • Shared profits and resources

   • Coordinated marketing efforts

The Engagement Strategy

1. Today's To-Do List:

   • Put Hodges's access on airplane mode (Administrative suspension)

   • Secure those devices (Every DM is evidence)

   • Start the victim hotline (Time to go viral – legally)

2. This Week's Content Calendar:

   • Interview tax clients (The real testimonials)

   • Subpoena ALL the things

   • Start building that federal collab (Group chat with benefits)

The Bottom Line

Ladies, when your credit repair business has more red flags than a communist parade, it might be time to consider a career change. The Bronx DA's office is about to show you that the only thing going viral will be your indictment.

To the Bronx DA: Your move. Remember, in the game of interstate fraud, you either win or you... actually, no. You just win. Because you've got the law, the evidence, and now this blueprint.

Time to show these influencers that the only thing they'll be influencing is criminal justice reform. From the inside.

Hey girl!

Hey Chanelle and Adina! 👋 We know you're reading this. Remember:

• The internet is forever

• Screenshots are eternal

• Cooperation is trending

• Prison orange is not the new black

Choose wisely. 😘

The blueprint is served. The notifications are on. The ball's in your court, Bronx DA.

What's it going to be? Time to hit 'like' on justice.

The Watchdogs' Secret: When Enforcement Goes Political

Now, here's where things get really interesting. Remember all those complaints that seemed to vanish into the void? Turns out someone was watching after all.

A current CFPB source (who probably doesn't want to be planning their retirement just yet) reveals: "We have been watching Jones for a couple months now, based off of information we received from another consumer and information we received including FTC affidavits from one of the credit bureaus."

But wait, there's more! A former CFPB official, now comfortably settled at DOJ, spills the real tea: "Rohit Chopra who is the CFPB director has made clear that the goals regarding credit repair are to be 'selective.'"

Translation: Some scammers are more equal than others.

"The unfairness of how the CFPB is investigating only certain credit repair companies give off the impression that things are done for fear or favor..... and that the agency doesn't want to piss certain senators off," our source continues.

Connect the Dots: It's Not Just Connect Four Anymore

Let's put this puzzle together:

1. A DA's office employee running unauthorized credit repair operations

2. A Texas-based credit repair scheme with interstate reach

3. Political pressure affecting federal enforcement

4. Multiple agencies watching but not acting

5. A paper trail that would make a CVS receipt look brief

To Hodges and Jones: Your move. But remember, in the game of criminal enterprise chess, the pawns usually talk first.

To the Bronx DA's Office: We know you're reading this. The special prosecutor suggestion? Might want to speed that up.

To the CFPB: Selective enforcement is still selective when everyone can see you doing it.

The Aftermath: When Truth Hits a Nerve

The release of Part 2 hit the credit repair world like a Category 5 hurricane. The response? A predictable mix of denials, deflections, and – my personal favorite – attempts at character assassination.

"You're Making Us Look Bad!"

The outcry was immediate: "You're making the credit repair industry look dirty!" Really? I wasn't aware that exposing fraudsters was what made an industry look bad. Here I thought it was the fraudsters themselves doing that.

Let me be crystal clear: These articles have never been about the credit repair industry as a whole. They're about the scammers and fraudsters who've infiltrated our ranks like parasites, feeding off vulnerable consumers while legitimate companies suffer.

The Compliance Chronicles

The whisper campaign started almost immediately. "He's not compliant!" they said. "We know for a fact!" they claimed. My response? "Expose me then."

Let's address this head-on: I'm a recovered addict, clean since March 5th, 2015. If they think digging up my past will silence me, they're sorely mistaken. My journey from addiction to recovery only strengthens my resolve to fight fraud and deception. Unlike credit sweeps, redemption stories are real.

A Tale of Two Critics

Enter Derek Louw of Consumer Credit Auditors, sporting a website that looks like it was designed during the AOL dial-up era and a social media following that would make a small-town bakery blush. Despite his own negative reviews about failing to deliver services and charging upfront fees of $397.00, he had the audacity to call me a "hack."

Let's quote one of his satisfied customers: "Paid for one year of credit repair and the two main things I needed repaired never were. Derek was self-righteous and blamed the system and the fact he couldn't find attorney in my state."

Pot, meet kettle.

Then we have Kat Conley, the self-proclaimed "Credit Queen" operating "Boss Babe Credit Boot Camp" out of Atlanta, Georgia. Yes, you read that right – operating a credit repair business in Georgia, where it's illegal. Her scholarly critique? "Article is too long. Didn't bother reading it."

For someone who claims to prefer "stuff on at least a college level," she might want to start with reading Georgia state law. It seems the "Boss Babe" needs a lesson in both reading comprehension and legal compliance. (I'd make the joke shorter, but I'm worried she wouldn't finish reading it.)

The Voice of Experience

But not everyone is drinking the Kool-Aid. Carl Bunch, a 20-year veteran of the industry, backs up our findings:

"Based on my 20 years experience, feedback from clients, feedback from mortgage loan officers and realtors, and social media, I would estimate that 'scam' CROs are AT LEAST half of the total of CROs at any given point in time. Look at all of the many Fb credit repair groups. MOST of those members are 'scams', they're outright offering forged documents, paystubs, etc."

The Growing Storm

The flood of messages in my inbox reveals an uncomfortable truth: This series keeps growing because the problem is far bigger than anyone wanted to admit. Every day brings new evidence of credit repair scams, new victims, new schemes.

To those claiming I'm on some kind of crusade for personal gain: You're right about one thing – this is personal. It's personal because every day, legitimate credit repair companies lose clients to these 7-day sweep scammers. It's personal because every day, vulnerable consumers get exploited. And it's personal because some of us actually believe in doing this work ethically and legally.

So yes, keep digging. Keep commenting. Keep trying to intimidate. You're only proving my point and fueling the fire that will eventually cleanse this industry of its parasites.

[To be continued...]

This story is developing, and we've only begun to unravel the threads. Future installments will reveal:

• The full extent of Hodges's alleged involvement

• Additional victim testimonies

• Responses from relevant authorities

• Possible connections to other employees or officials

• The money trail behind this operation

To victims of this scheme: We hear you, and we're just getting started.

To those involved: The spotlight is on, and it's only getting brighter.

To District Attorney Clark: The clock is ticking. The public is watching. What happens next is up to you.

To our readers: Stay tuned. Part 4 promises to be even more interesting. Because if you thought a DA's office employee running credit repair scams was shocking, wait until you see who else is involved.