Former Wilton Fire District Director Sued by Attorney General

A former director of the Wilton (Calif.) Fire District is being sued as part of an investigation by Attorney General Jerry Brown into an alleged illegal marketing scheme by a Rancho Cordova firm.

Attorney James D. Sandison, along with two other owners of the the Rancho Corodva-based US Loan Auditors and My US Legal Services are accused of duping hundreds of customers who were attempted to get loan modifications. The company allegedly advised customers to stop mortgage payments and file a "predatory lending" lawsuits against mortgage companies.

"In fact, it was no remedy at all, and hundreds of desperate California homeowners took the bait and lost their money - and sometimes their homes," Brown said.

Sandison was elected to the Wilton Fire District in 1998 and served as a director for one term. He did not seek reelection in 2002.

Along with Sandison, two other owners of the firm, Jeffrey Pulvino and Shane Barker were named in the suit. Also sued were two attorneys, Jonathan G. Stein and Sharon L. Lapin.

Sandison, who was admitted to the California bar in 1990, is also the subject of disiplinary charges filed Tuesday by the State Bar.