Man is accused of swindling homeowners

A Snellville man is accused of taking advantage of desperate homeowners on the brink of foreclosure.

Michael Leroy Brown was arrested Thursday after several victims contacted police claiming to have been swindled by him. Brown promised the homeowners that he could obtain government grants to pay their mortgages, said Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli.

Brown asked for half of the victims’ monthly mortgage payment up front and in cash, police said. Brown reportedly told the victims he would deposit the money into an account for the grants.

The victims learned they had been bamboozled after they contacted their mortgage company and found out no payment had been posted to their account. Brown is being held at the Gwinnett jail without bond on multiple felony counts of theft by deception.

— Andria Simmons