Financial Firm Ordered to Pay Mass. $1.9M

A Lawrence, Massachusetts, financial and legal services firm and its owner accused of preying on vulnerable customers during the foreclosure crisis have been ordered by a judge to pay Massachusetts more than $1.9 million.

Attorney General Maura Healey announced the judgment Thursday against Pinnacle Financial Consulting LLC and owner Robert Burton. The two also were permanently banned from performing financial advising and legal services in Massachusetts.

The state sued in 2013, saying Burton and the firm targeted desperate consumers - particularly minorities and non-native English speakers - in predatory foreclosure and loan modification scams.

Healey says Burton and the firm obtained at least $1.2 million from more than 600 consumers, including many who lost their homes to foreclosure.

A message on a phone listing for Burton said it wasn't accepting calls.