Attorney General Anne Milgram has filed civil lawsuits against three New Jersey companies accused of greed, human callousness and disregard for the law in separate mortgage schemes.Milgram announced lawsuits against Casey Properties of Totowa, Hope Now Financial and New Hope Modifications.

According to Milgram, Casey Properties of Totowa allegedly swindled 32 investors out of $18 million through a mortgage investment scheme. The company is accused of leaving the homes in disrepair after enticing the investors into purchasing properties with the promise of having them repaired and rented.

"In the end, the defendants only enriched themselves while victims had their credit ratings ruined and were left responsible for dilapidated homes that had been foreclosed or abandoned," says Milgram.

A telephone number to contact Casey Properties has been disconnected.

Hope Now Financial and New Hope Modifications are both accused of offering the false promise of aid to distressed homeowners. Lawsuits against each company allege they lied to homeowners about being affiliated with a federally approved anti-foreclosure program.