Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced Friday his office charged a Towson-based law office with charging illegal advance fees and not providing promised refunds.
The Consumer Protection Division charged Daniel M. Radebaugh and the self-named law practice he founded with violating the Maryland Credit Services Businesses Act and the Maryland Consumer Protection Act between 2010 and 2013. The charges could result in a civil penalty of up to $400,000 and restitution to more than 400 consumers allegedly harmed.
The Attorney General's office alleged that the Law Office of Daniel M. Radebaugh didn't provide promised refunds after failing to negotiate successful loan modifications, and charged illegal up-front feeds of up to $2,495.
Radebaugh said the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation had investigated the same issues years before and cleared him of wrongdoing. He said the Attorney General had "no legal standing" to pursue the charges.
"I feel like the state of Maryland has been chasing me for several years, and I'm ready to complete this chapter," he said. "The complaint is based in opinion and not fact and I'll be happy to have my day in court to get this litigated."
Consumers with complaints against Radebaugh or his law office were asked to call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6569.