Silver Spring-based Evergreen Management LLC and its owner have been charged for using homeowner and condominium association fees for personal gain, funneling money between accounts to cover the transgressions, the state attorney general’s office announced.
The property management company is owned by Jason Barry Oseroff, of Olney, and both were charged by the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division for misappropriating consumers’ fees.
“Evergreen and its owner are charged with serious violations of consumer protections laws,” Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh said in a statement. “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.”
Evergreen was founded in December 2005, and offered services such as recordkeeping, money management and hiring contractors to homeowners and condominium associations, according to charging documents.
Oseroff and his father Ivan, who died in 2017, allegedly used the bank accounts of their customers to make personal payments totaling at least $2.4 million, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.
The Oseroffs allegedly transferred funds between customer accounts to cover any shortfalls, failed to provide bank records or invoices, and created fake income and expense reports to mask the crimes.
Oseroff or Evergreen representatives could not be reached for comment.
The attorney general’s office did not have information about whether Oseroff or Evergreen has an attorney. A telephone number listed for the company has been disconnected.
Charging documents list nine associations as victims of the scheme, primarily in Prince George’s County. No Montgomery County properties are mentioned.
Evergreen handled the bank accounts for these entities, and was authorized to write checks to vendors that provided goods and services to the associations, according to charging documents. Usually, only the Oseroffs “had signatory authority over the accounts” and would receive all bank statements.
Evergreen customers paid thousands on the personal credit card of Jennifer Oseroff, Jason’s wife, including $49,200 over 17 transactions funded by the Largo Town Center Condominiums.
At least $319,400 in unauthorized payments went directly to Jason Oseroff or for the benefit of his family members, according to charges announced Wednesday.
The attorney general alleges violations of Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, the Maryland Condominium Act and the Maryland Homeowners Association Act.
The state is seeking an injunction against Evergreen and Oseroff, along with payment of restitution, penalties and costs.
The case will be heard by an Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@bethesdda-remix.newspackstaging.com