“We Buy Ugly Homes” franchisee pleads guilty to attempted grand theft
VENTURA, California – A “We Buy Ugly Homes” franchise pleaded guilty to attempted grand theft.
Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced Wednesday that Corey Evans of Santa Clarita pled guilty to two felony counts of attempted grand theft by false pretenses.
An investigation was conducted by the District Attorney’s Real Estate
Fraud Unit on a referral from Ventura County Adult Protective Services.
Evans is a co-owner of HomeVestors, which is an independently owned “We Buy Ugly Houses” franchise.
HomeVestors offers to buy homes in “as-is” condition for cash.
The investigation revealed Evans gave false information to two separate elderly homeowners in Camarillo so HomeVestors could purchase their homes.
When each victim attempted to cancel their contract, HomeVestors recorded liens on their homes and threatened civil litigation.
Evans will be sentenced on September 24. Evans is expected to be ordered to pay restitution to the victims, remove all liens, and cease all civil litigation against them.
