Attorney charged with multiple offenses in Monroe jailed after bail is revoked

A New Jersey attorney is in Monroe prison awaiting trial after his bail was revoked. He is charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses for his actions as a closing agent for a company located in Monroe County.

On Jan. 17, the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas issued a bench warrant for Scott Marinelli after he failed to appear for a pretrial conference scheduled on Jan. 16.

Marinelli is a New Jersey attorney whose license was suspended on Aug. 25, 2017, by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics.

He was originally charged on June 29, 2018, with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses for his actions as a closing agent for Mountain Lakes Abstract Company in Pocono Pines, and Homestead Land Services in Mount Pocono.

On Jan. 23, Marinelli was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies and incarcerated after he turned himself in one week after his failure to appear.

A hearing on a motion to revoke bail filed by Assistant District Attorney Christy Schlottman was held on Jan. 24, during which time Chief County Detective Eric Kerchner presented evidence showing that while out on bail, Marinelli continued to commit fraudulent acts related to real estate.

The offenses include the fraudulent transfer of four properties located in Cresco, Tobyhanna and Coolbaugh townships involving in excess of $230,000 in fraudulent mortgages, as well as participation in a scheme as a lawyer for Synergy Law to bilk customers out of thousands of dollars by offering unfulfilled services to modify mortgages, file for bankruptcy and relocate families after they lost their homes in mortgage foreclosures.

Kerchner received complaints and information from bankruptcy courts and/or consumers in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Virginia and the District of Columbia, as allegations of the unauthorized practice of law, charging of unreasonable compensation, and fraudulent and deceptive practices were made in all seven jurisdictions.

It was disclosed that Marinelli received $129,000 in compensation from Synergy Law between August and December 2018.

During the hearing it was also disclosed that Marinelli was under investigation for several additional criminal acts including thefts he allegedly committed as an employee of Homestead Land Services, falsifying documents submitted to First American Title Company and the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics, along with the commission of various other schemes, fraudulent transactions and theft.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Marinelli’s bail was revoked and he was returned to the Monroe County Correctional Facility pending a trial in April. 

Marinelli was represented by Pittsburgh attorney Mark Nolfi, who disclosed to investigators and prosecutors that he also represents Synergy Law as an attorney in bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings.

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is asking that anyone who believes they were victimized by Marinelli, Homestead Land Services and/or Mountain Lakes Abstract between 2016 and the present to contact the office.

In addition, they are asking that anyone that used Synergy Law in relation to their real property in Monroe County also call their office at 570-517-3052.

The investigation is being led by Schlottman and Kerchner.