Milton Man Charged In Housing Scheme That Included West Roxbury

BOSTON, MA — A Milton man faces charges from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office after allegedly convincing investors to lend him money as part of a house-flipping scheme that included a Stoughton property.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin announced the charges against Ricardo “Rick” Bernard Tuesday. In most cases, Galvin’s office says Bernard convinced property owners that were facing foreclosure to sell him the title for $1 and he would flip the house. He told the victims that he would pay them with the proceeds from the eventual sale.

Instead of making repairs, he installed residential tenants and used the property for a source of rental income and didn’t make payments on the property mortgage, eventually allowing it to be foreclosed, according to an administrative complaint. In some cases, the funds were used to finance his personal lifestyle.

It’s alleged that properties in Stoughton, Randolph, Brockton, Milton, West Roxbury, and Taunton were hit by the scheme.

In the non-criminal administrative proceedings, Galvin’s office is seeking for Bernand to cease and desist, a fine, and restitution.

Below is the full complaint:

Milton Administrative Complaint by DanLibon on Scribd

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