Kendra Todd - The Lawsuit

Kendra Todd, Uber Real Estate Pumper
(see also, Part 1, Kendra Todd Meets God)

If guilty, perhaps behind bars she will convert to Islam.

* Hat tip Johnnie

2009-06-21: Kendra Todd accused of fraud in lawsuit over homesale
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But homebuyer Diane Harris probably wished Todd had a different show - perhaps one entitled, "My Closing Costs Are Worth What?"

Harris said Todd used her Apprentice success "to lull unsuspecting victims into her scheme to defraud," according to a Palm Beach County Circuit Court lawsuit filed against Todd by Harris earlier this month.

More specifically, Harris claims Todd defrauded her by inducing her to buy a Texas home in a deal stuffed with financial extras for Todd, "including overcharges and illegal charges, none of which were disclosed." As a result of the added closing costs, plus a high interest rate mortgage Harris couldn't afford, the property is in foreclosure and Harris' credit is ruined, the lawsuit claims.

Harris is suing Todd, mortgage broker Michelle Caldwell, and Todd's company, Kendra Todd Group, a dissolved Florida corporation formerly based in Hypoluxo. The suit, which includes allegations of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, seeks unspecified money damages.
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In her lawsuit, Harris claims Todd called the Obra purchase "a fantastic investment opportunity" and that only a few lots still were available for sale. Swayed, Harris said she gave Todd a $7,500 deposit for the purchase of a $88,820 home, the lawsuit says.

Things went south soon after that. Harris's suit said she was told the home would be equipped with appliances. But when Harris went to see the home, she learned the appliances weren't included - but could be purchased through the mortgage loan. So another $1,000 was added to the mortgage, the lawsuit says. (Before it went bust, Obra gained a reputation for luring home buyers in with low-cost home prices and the promise of free appliances.)

In addition to the appliance snafu, other nasty surprises awaited Harris, including an extra $2,000 in deposits owed, the suit claims.

Harris claims she later learned Todd received "kickbacks" from Obra for bringing buyers to the homebuilder, the lawsuit alleges. But Harris' suit said Todd wasn't licensed as a broker in Texas, and therefore couldn't receive kickbacks - or brokerage fees, as Todd described them in closing documents, the lawsuit says.

Harris's suit said she also paid mortgage broker fees to Caldwell, even though she wasn't a licensed mortgage broker in Texas. Caldwell could not be reached for comment, and the company she worked for, Benchmark Mortgage Corp., is listed as a dissolved Florida corporation, according to state records.

Todd, who still owns a Boynton Beach home appraised at $219,276, also could not be reached for comment by presstime. Her publicist said she was in Seattle.
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34 Baytree Cir, Boynton Beach, FL
3 beds, 2.0 baths, 1,577 sq ft
Zestimate®: $180,000

Sale History
04/23/2004: $207,000

Property Appraisal