BALTIMORE — A property management company is in trouble with the state over how it spent homeowner and condo fees.
The Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division filed charges against Evergreen Management, LLC for misappropriating consumers' fees paid to their homeowner associations and condominium associations. The owners of Evergreen, Jason Barry Oseroff and his late father Ivan Oseroff, are accused of taking nearly $2.5 million in funds and using the money for their own benefit.
Over the years, Evergreen was hired to manage the books and records of HOAs, arrange and pay for contractors such as landscapers, prepare tax returns, attend meetings, and perform other functions.
According to the statement of charges, the company was hired by 13 associations in Maryland.
Instead of providing the services for which they were hired, the Attorney General's Office found that Oseroff withdrew unauthorized cash amounts, paid thousands for charges on his wife's credit card, made payments to himself, and funneled money from other HOAs to cover the bills of another.
Evergreen also failed to provide bank records and invoices to homeowners when requested, a violation of the the Maryland Condominium Act and the Maryland Homeowners Association Act. The company is also accused of providing homeowners with false balance, expense, and income reports.
“This company allegedly stole money, paid in good faith by home and condo owners to cover property services, and used it for their own personal benefit," said Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh.
The state has asked that the company be banned from engaging in deceptive and unfair practices and pay restitution, penalties, and legal fees.
WMAR-2 News tried contacting Jason Oseroff but couldn't immediately reach him for comment on this story.
If you live in a homeowners association or condo, you have rights. To read more about the laws that protect you, click here to view the summary of rights listed by the Maryland Homeowner's Association.
