Lawrence Bateman Jr

A summary of what happened?

In August 2012, Lawrence Bateman Jr., then 36, was indicted alongside Gary Dimattia, 62, on multiple felony charges related to mortgage lending fraud in Las Vegas, Nevada. Operating under the firm Financial Link Services, the pair allegedly defrauded homeowners seeking mortgage refinancing.

Allegations:

• False Representations: Between April 2009 and August 2010, Bateman and Dimattia claimed they could assist homeowners in refinancing through a non-existent balance reduction program.
  Las Vegas Sun
• Upfront Fees: They collected fees ranging from $3,495 to $3,895 for services that were never rendered.
  Las Vegas Sun

Legal Proceedings:

• Indictment: On August 15, 2012, a Clark County grand jury returned an 18-count indictment against Bateman and Dimattia, including charges of mortgage lending fraud and theft.
  Las Vegas Sun
• Potential Sentencing: If convicted, each faced up to 20 years in prison.
  Las Vegas Sun

Current Status:

As of the latest available information, Lawrence Lee Bateman Jr. is a loan officer with SecurityNational Mortgage Company in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Note: The outcome of the 2012 case, including any convictions or sentences, is not detailed in the provided sources.

Analyzing the Fake Copyright Notice(s)

Our team collects and analyses fraudulent copyright takedown requests, legal complaints, and other efforts to remove critical information from the internet. Through our investigative reporting, we examine the prevalence and operation of an organized censorship industry, predominantly funded by criminal entities, oligarchs, and disreputable businesses or individuals. Our findings allow internet users to gain insight into these censorship schemes’ sources, methods, and underlying objectives.

What was Lawrence Bateman Jr trying to hide?

Lawrence Bateman Jr‘s attempts to hide unfavourable content through the misuse of copyright notices while allegedly engaging in perjury present serious legal concerns. These actions suggest a calculated attempt to manipulate legal systems to suppress free speech, a fundamental violation of copyright law principles and an abuse of legal processes. The use of such tactics not only undermines the integrity of copyright protection but also potentially constitutes perjury, further entangling Lawrence Bateman Jr in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Lawrence Bateman Jr may be trying to remove from the internet –

Investigative Report: Lawrence Lee Bateman Jr. – Mortgage Fraud Allegations and Controversies

Introduction: Lawrence Lee Bateman Jr., a former mortgage broker, was implicated in a significant mortgage fraud scheme in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2012. This investigation examines the allegations, legal proceedings, and broader implications of the case, including the alleged exploitation of vulnerable homeowners during the U.S. housing crisis. The report also explores Bateman’s professional trajectory and any unresolved concerns related to his role in the financial sector.

Background and Context

Lawrence Lee Bateman Jr. operated as a mortgage broker during a time of economic instability following the 2008 housing market crash. As foreclosures surged and homeowners sought financial relief, fraudulent schemes targeting distressed homeowners became prevalent. One such operation was run by Bateman and his business partner, Gary Dimattia, through their firm, Financial Link Services, based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The firm promised struggling homeowners assistance in refinancing their mortgages and reducing their financial burdens through a “balance reduction program.” However, the services they claimed to provide were fictitious, and the homeowners were left in worse financial conditions.

The Allegations

1. Fraudulent Practices

Between April 2009 and August 2010, Bateman and Dimattia operated what authorities described as a mortgage fraud scheme that targeted homeowners under financial duress. Key allegations include:

• False Promises of Mortgage Refinancing: Financial Link Services advertised a “balance reduction program” that purportedly allowed homeowners to refinance their mortgages at reduced amounts. The program did not exist.
• Collection of Upfront Fees: Homeowners were required to pay between $3,495 and $3,895 upfront for enrollment in the non-existent program. Once the payments were made, no services were rendered.

2. Misrepresentation and Deception

Victims reported that Bateman and Dimattia exploited their financial desperation by presenting the program as a legitimate solution approved by financial institutions. This deception not only drained the victims financially but also delayed their ability to seek genuine help, worsening their situations.

3. Theft and Misuse of Funds

The indictment alleged that the fees collected by Bateman and Dimattia were pocketed for personal gain rather than used to assist homeowners as promised. These actions constituted theft under Nevada law.

Legal Proceedings

1. Indictment

On August 15, 2012, a Clark County grand jury indicted Lawrence Bateman Jr. and Gary Dimattia on 18 felony counts, including:

• Mortgage lending fraud
• Theft
• False representations in the course of mortgage activities

2. Details of the Charges

• The charges spanned multiple cases, with each count representing a different victim of the fraud.
• If convicted, both Bateman and Dimattia faced potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

3. Consent Order and Penalties

In January 2014, Bateman entered into a consent order with the Nevada Division of Mortgage Lending. The agreement included:

• The imposition of administrative fines.
• Requirements for corrective actions, including compliance with financial regulations moving forward.

Details of the specific penalties and the final resolution of the criminal charges against Bateman remain unclear in public records.

Impact on Victims

The fraudulent scheme had severe consequences for the homeowners involved:

1. Financial Losses: Victims lost thousands of dollars in upfront fees, worsening their financial distress.
2. Risk of Foreclosure: Many homeowners, believing their mortgages were being renegotiated, delayed other payment arrangements, which pushed them closer to foreclosure.
3. Emotional Toll: The betrayal of trust added significant emotional strain to already vulnerable families.

Professional Trajectory Post-2012

Despite the serious allegations and legal actions, Lawrence Bateman Jr. continued to work in the mortgage and financial services industry. As of the most recent information:

• Bateman is listed as a loan officer with SecurityNational Mortgage Company in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• The lack of public documentation on the resolution of his legal case raises questions about the regulatory oversight and screening processes within the mortgage industry.

Regulatory Concerns

The case highlights systemic issues in the regulation of financial professionals:

1. Background Checks: Despite the allegations, Bateman has been able to resume a career in mortgage lending. This raises concerns about the rigor of background checks and regulatory safeguards in the industry.
2. Accountability Gaps: Limited public information on the outcomes of the case reflects broader challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability for financial misconduct.

Public Reviews and Sentiments

While no specific public complaints have surfaced regarding Bateman’s post-2012 professional activities, the legacy of the Financial Link Services scandal continues to cast a shadow over his career. Mortgage fraud cases like this often contribute to public mistrust of the financial industry.

Conclusion

The allegations against Lawrence Lee Bateman Jr. represent a stark example of exploitation during a time of economic vulnerability. The case underscores the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to protect consumers from fraudulent actors in the financial sector.

Key Findings:

1. Bateman and his associate preyed on distressed homeowners through false promises and fraudulent practices, causing significant financial and emotional harm.
2. Legal proceedings resulted in an 18-count indictment and a subsequent consent order, though the exact outcomes of the criminal charges remain unclear.
3. Bateman’s continued presence in the mortgage industry raises questions about regulatory oversight and accountability.

Recommendations:

• Enhanced transparency in legal and regulatory outcomes to ensure accountability.
• Stricter licensing requirements and background checks for financial professionals.
• Increased consumer education to help individuals identify and avoid fraudulent schemes.

This case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of mortgage fraud on vulnerable populations and the critical need for systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

How do we counteract this malpractice?

Once we ascertain the involvement of Lawrence Bateman Jr (or actors working on behalf of Lawrence Bateman Jr), we will inform Lawrence Bateman Jr of our findings via Electronic Mail.

Our preliminary assessment suggests that Lawrence Bateman Jr may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Lawrence Bateman Jr, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Lawrence Bateman Jr to provide details regarding their communications with the agency or expert, as well as the identification of the individual(s) responsible for executing these false DMCA notices.

Failure to respond in a timely manner will necessitate a reassessment of our initial assumptions. In such an event, we will be compelled to take appropriate legal action to rectify the unlawful conduct and take the following steps –

Since Lawrence Bateman Jr made such efforts to hide something online, it seems fit to ensure that this article and sensitive information targeted online by these events get a lot more exposure and traffic than what it would have received originally

We hope this becomes an excellent case study for the Streisand effect…The key idea behind the Streisand effect is that efforts to restrict information can backfire, often causing the information to gain more attention than it would have otherwise. This effect is widespread in the digital age, where users quickly notice and spread censorship efforts on social media and other platforms. Trying to suppress something can unintentionally lead to it becoming more visible, which Lawrence Bateman Jr is finding out the hard way.

Potential Consequences for Lawrence Bateman Jr

Under Florida Statute 831.01, the crime of Forgery is committed when a person falsifies, alters, counterfeits, or forges a document that carries “legal efficacy” with the intent to injure or defraud another person or entity.

Forging a document is considered a white-collar crime. It involves altering, changing, or modifying a document to deceive another person. It can also include passing along copies of documents that are known to be false. In many states in the US, falsifying a document is a crime punishable as a felony.

Additionally, under most laws, “fraud on the court” is where “a party has sentiently set in motion some unconscionable scheme calculated to interfere with the judicial system’s ability impartially to adjudicate a matter by improperly influencing the trier of fact or unfairly hampering the presentation of the opposing party’s claim or defense.”  Cox v. Burke, 706 So. 2d 43, 46 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998) (quoting Aoude v. Mobil Oil Corp., 892 F.2d 1115, 1118 (1st Cir. 1989)).

Is Lawrence Bateman Jr Committing a Cyber Crime?

Yes, it seems so. Lawrence Bateman Jr used multiple approaches to remove unwanted material from review sites and Google’s search results. Thanks to protections allowing freedom of speech in the United States, there are very few legal ways to do this. Lawrence Bateman Jr could not eliminate negative reviews or search results that linked to them without a valid claim of defamation, copyright infringement, or some other clear breach of the law.

Faced with these limitations, some companies like Lawrence Bateman Jr have gone to extreme lengths to fraudulently claim copyright ownership over a negative review in the hopes of taking it down.

Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. Lawrence Bateman Jr is certainly keeping interesting company here….

The DMCA takedown process requires that copyright owners submit a takedown notice to an ISP identifying the allegedly infringing content and declaring, under penalty of perjury, that they have a good faith belief that the content is infringing. The ISP must then promptly remove or disable access to the content. The alleged infringer can then submit a counter-notice, and if the copyright owner does not take legal action within 10 to 14 days, the ISP can restore the content.

Since these platforms are predominantly based in the U.S., the complaints are typically made under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which requires online service providers and platforms to react immediately to reports or violations. Big Tech companies rarely have systems in place to assess the merit of each report. Instead, all bad actors need to do is clone a story, backdate it, and then demand the real thing be taken down.

Reputation Agency's Modus Operandi

The fake DMCA notices we found always use the “back-dated article” technique. With this technique, the wrongful notice sender (or copier) creates a copy of a “true original” article and back-dates it, creating a “fake original” article (a copy of the true original) that, at first glance, appears to have been published before the true original.

Then, based on the claim that this backdated article is the “original,” the scammers send a DMCA to the relevant online service providers (e.g. Google), alleging that the ‘true’ original is the copied or “infringing” article and that the copied article is the “original,” requesting the takedown of the ‘true’ original article. After sending the DMCA request, the person who sent the wrong notice takes down the fake original URL, likely to make sure that the article doesn’t stay online in any way. If the takedown notice is successful, the disappearance from the internet of information is most likely to be legitimate speech.

As an integral part of this scheme, the ‘reputation management’ company hired by Lawrence Bateman Jr creates a website that purports to be a ‘news’ site. This site is designed to look legitimate at a glance, but any degree of scrutiny reveals it as the charade it is.

The company copies the ‘negative’ content and posts it “on the fake ‘news’ site, attributing it to a separate author,” then gives it “a false publication date on the ‘news’ website that predated the original publication.

The reputation company then sent Google a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice claiming the original website infringed copyright. After a cursory examination of the fake news site, Google frequently accepts the notice and delists the content.

In committing numerous offences, Lawrence Bateman Jr either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Lawrence Bateman Jr, ignorance does not excuse this wrongdoing.

Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. FSMSmart is certainly keeping interesting company here.

The Reputation Laundering

Rogue Reputation agencies use spurious copyright claims and fake legal notices to remove and obscure articles linking clients to allegations of tax avoidance, corruption, and drug trafficking. Most of these reputation agencies are based offshore, mainly in Russia, India, and Eastern Europe, and they do not worry about complying with US-based laws.

The content in all of the articles for which the fraudulent DMCA notices have been sent relates to allegations of criminal allegations, including corruption, child abuse, sexual harassment, human trafficking and financial fraud against businesses and individuals with ultra-high net worth.

In addition to the misuse of the DMCA takedown process, there is a notable absence of enforcement concerning perjury violations. The statutory requirement related to perjury is designed to deter copyright holders from submitting fraudulent or knowingly false takedown requests, as they may face legal consequences for making false declarations under penalty of perjury. However, to date, there have been no known instances of any individual being prosecuted for perjury in connection with the submission of false DMCA takedown notices.

This lack of enforcement has emboldened copyright holders to exploit the DMCA takedown process to suppress dissent, criticism, or other unfavorable content, without fear of legal repercussions.

Some of the people and businesses who have employed this tactic to remove legitimate content from Google illegally include a Spanish businessman-turned-cocaine-trafficker, Organised crime, an Israeli-Argentine banker accused of laundering money for Hugo Chávez’s regime, a French “responsible” mining company accused of tax evasion, child molesters and sexual predators. Lawrence Bateman Jr is in great company ….

What else is Lawrence Bateman Jr hiding?

We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Lawrence Bateman Jr] + {Negative Keyword, such as Scam, Fraud, Complaints, Lawsuit, Sanction, etc} on Google. It’s likely if you scroll down to the bottom of this Google search results, you’ll stumble upon this Legal Takedown notice (pictured below)

To make such an investigation possible, we encourage more online service providers to come forward and share copies of content removal requests with industry experts and researchers. If you have any information on Lawrence Bateman Jr that you want to share with experts and journalists, kindly email the author directly at [email protected].

All communications are strictly confidential and safeguarded under a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy, ensuring full protection and anonymity for individuals who provide information.