Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Gennaro Likes Dinero But He's Mad at Me

My print column is up, another entertaining bit about mortgage fixer and slum-lord Gennaro Rauso.

In it, I mention that Gennaro was not happy with Friday's column.

He was not happy with today's column either. Instead of calling me, he called my editor this morning.

His complaint? Not that there were factual mistakes in the column. Not that I misquoted him. His complaint was I never identified myself as a newspaper person.

I sure did.

When I called him last Thursday at the number I had for his office, I told his secretary, Tiffany, who I was. We had a nice talk. She thinks Gennaro is a "great guy," but then, she said, she's only worked for him for a month.

In any case, he called me back very quickly after Tiffany said she would try to get a hold of him.

Gennaro and I had a nice talk too. He was quite forthcoming, right up to admitting he was late checking himself into jail.

Anyway, when he called me on Sunday to complain about what he believed was unfair in my column, he didn't mention not knowing who I was or what I did for a living. He just seemed to think I'd been harder on him than I should been.

Given that he didn't deny stuffing his client's house with 11 tenants, serving her with eviction papers and that as the trustee of property, he never paid a dime of her mortgage, I thought it was pretty gutsy for him to talk to me at all.

Now, he's saying he didn't know he was talking to a journalist. Gennaro is the gift that keeps on giving. And taking, if Makra Opoku can be believed.

She's suing him, alleging fraud and other not nice things. The DAs office also continues to investigate his activities.

I have a question for Gino? Who did he think I was - asking all those impertinent questions - if not a journalist? A vacuum cleaner salesman?

Read the column. It's good.

UPDATE: I just heard from Gennaro. More later.

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What, this guy is really claiming that he spilled his guts to just some stranger on the phone?? Lol…
Liars are funny. I wonder if this guy and Dave are friends?

March 19, 2008 at 5:30 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have the best story ever on this scum of the earth plus all the documents I need to back me up. I am suing this man plus I am calling my local news station soon. He collected thousands of dollars from my famaily while he forged a ficticious name on a deed. All the while we were living in unsafe horrible living conditions. He threw my 66 year old mother and my entire family out of our house on december 17. He has no idea what is coming his way. I have not yet begun to get this scumbag.

March 20, 2008 at 8:15 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My family and I put our TRUST into this fraudulent person. I can't even begin to explain what he put us through, because there is not enough time in a day. My family got into some financial trouble and were losing our home. That's when we received a call from "gino". By that point, we were desperate and didn't know where to turn. After many conversations and meetings { always at our home} we began to put our faith into him. Gino, PROMISED to save our home as he continued to take rent from us. Well, we {he} lost our home. After promising he was going to buy it out of sheriffs sale. This left my family with NO place to go. As desperate as we were, we let gino rent us another home. So, after 15yrs., of living in the one prior. We packed up and moved into the property he "owned". There are seven of us and the house was pretty big. Though it was in horrendous, unhabital conditions. We had no heat in the dead of winter. Which also meant cold showers. The septic tank kept over-flowing, even the neighbors were complaining. Minimal working plumbing, {My grandmother had to wash the dishes in a pot} to prevent the sink from leaking everywhere. All of the pipes through-out the house were delapitated and corroded. Doors off of the hinges, thats's not even the half. There was a piece of cement in the basement, holding up the whole foundation of the house. Mice running rampant and nats everywhere. Yet, we placed numerous phone calls to gino, he never did anything to correct these horrible, unhabital conditons. Though every month he would raise the rent. At one point he wanted $1500 a month. That's when we started to put in complaints to L&I. Affter numerous violations, he failed to do anything about it.Then he served us papers,stating we owed him back-rent . Due to the rent increases. We went to court the judge ruled in our favor. We owed him nothing. After the fact, we then found that our credit was ruined. He was forging our names on banckruptcy documents. I was living in that house up until I was 6 months pregnant. Breathing in asbestos, the whole time. I moved into a one bedroom apartment with my fiance. Then,gino decided to come to the home my family was still residing in. With no notice, also at a time when he knew my parents wouldn't be home. He proceeded to tell my grandmother{on her birthday} and my 17yr.old brother they had 10 minutes to get their stuff and get out. Long story short my family is the happiest they've been since they dealt with that creep. He collected thousands of dollars from us.
Though, until they found someone legitimate, willing to rent to them; all five of my family members had to reside with me {1 bedroom apartment}. All of that because the fraud ruined their credit. Currently they are renting from a very credible landlord. It took all of that crap before my family had peace of mind. I want nothing more than to see this scumbag suffer the consequences of his actions.

March 20, 2008 at 7:48 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gil,
I noticed you dedicated, literally, one line about the fact that Makra Opoku initialed and signed documents in the presence of a notary stating, among other things, that she was aware of the fact that she had relinquished all of her ownership interests in the property. Why didn't you dedicate a half a page with a separate heading about that?
Interestingly, you made no mention of the fact that part of the documents she signed also indicated "no promises were made to her." Why wouldn't you dedicate the same amout of space concerning those facts?
I think I know the answer. I didn't buy you a gift.

March 24, 2008 at 5:07 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maybe Ms.Opoku thought she was signing those document's with a trusting, educated gentleman who was going to help her save her home like you promised, maybe she did'nt realize then what a shady character u are at that point, Since I'm positive u assured her that all will be O.K and u used educated terms to make her think u were helping her. You see gennaro how it only takes one person to realize that they have been scammed and now we are all starting to speak up because now you are aware that we are all on the same page. That page is called "lets put the slumlord back in graterford for another 10 years where he can utilize his skills yet again" Only this time there will be a higher price to pay since he will have to pay back each person that he "helped" save their home. As for Gil, I will not be buying you a gift but I am almost positive that you will print what I had sent to you. Gennaro is that the best you could come up with "I did not buy you a gift" I thought you could talk your way out of anything???? What's happening? Losing that magic gift of gab??? Maybe you better brush up because you havent seen anything yet.

March 27, 2008 at 7:48 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There are many good and ethical ways to help people save their homes from foreclosure, and sometimes it does involve selling the home, however, this guy give all investors and landlords a horribly bad name.

Lets just forget the fact that a ton of zoning codes were broken by this guy, (by the way, where is Sharon Hill in all of this. Where is the code enforcement officer) how could anyone live with themselves after doing this to so many people. The answer is someone that has no ethics to begin with.

I am sure he told Ms Opoku that he was a paralegal, and that he knew the system and if she just did what he said he could save her house. There will be a special place for his guy, if it is not in prison, it will catch up with him someday.

April 6, 2008 at 9:35 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

when they find him I hope they lock him up for ever he lied to me and stole my house I trused him. are no honest people in this world. if any one sees him call the police and get far away from him, he is very dangerous he is a thief he will steal from anyone old people and children. im glad someone you are writing about him keep up the good work

April 16, 2008 at 4:19 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am asking anyone who has had contact with this shady theif please to contact an attorney. Let's work toghether to bring justice and closure for ourselve's
and our familie's. I can guarantee you that now someone is listening and we can put Gino in his new home at graterford. Do not fear this leach, he has no backbone.
All we have to do now is get all of us together, call for free legal counsel show this article. Let's get the ball rolling. I will be in touch.

April 20, 2008 at 9:43 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gennaro Rauso is a scam artist that we should beware of. He defrauded my family of our house just like he did to others. We should all come together to file an action suit against this boneless human being. Please let us all come together to report him to FBI as a group and to the Distict Attorney's Offices of our various counties. Great thing that all have filed a report against this scam artist who is shameless and has no conscience. He sees it morally upright to prey on vulnerable people. Please let us all come together to legally fight this animal called GINO.

April 24, 2008 at 2:16 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes I definately agree. I needed some time to deal with finding a place to live and rebuilding our lives but I am ready to help with paying gino back for all he has done. I will contact the attorney that Ms. Opoku has to represent her. His name is in Gils column. I am calling him before this day is over even to leave a voicemessage. Please let's get together and bring justice and closure as I will not have peace of mind until I see Gino behind bars and collect the money back that he has stolen from us. WE CAN DO THIS! LET'S COME TOGETHER!!!! I look forward to meeting all who have been scammed by this deceitful thug. Gino as for you, IT IS MY ONLY PRIORITY IN LIFE TO GET YOU BACK AND IF I SHOULD HAPPEND TO DIE BEFORE I ACCCOMPLISH THIS, I HAVE 7 OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO TAKE OVER FOR ME!!!!!!!! Let's see you talk your way out of this shady!!!!!!!

April 26, 2008 at 12:02 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have contacted the same lawyer that Makra Opoku used. I left voice message and expecting his response. This legal action against Gino is a task that must be done. As for me, I will spend a substantial amount of time to see that this man called gino pays dearly for his fraudulent activities. Never again will he take people for granted. Thank goodness that we are all bitter about this gino of a man. He will never rest until he goes back to prison where he belongs. I agree we should all contact the same lawyer that Makra used against Gino. This will be our means of coming together.

April 26, 2008 at 9:30 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So my question is what happens to all the tenants that "Gino" has placed into these homes once he evicts the previous owners? Are all these other people going to be out on the street with no where to go as well? What is there legal recourse?

May 28, 2008 at 12:27 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If anyone out there can provide me with information on an attorney that I can bring my case to I would appreciate it as I have left messages with Ms.Opoku's attorney and did not recieve a response. Thanks

June 1, 2008 at 5:41 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

pro bono legal aid in Delco:

http://lawyers.justia.com/firm/Delaware-County-Legal-Assistance-Association-Pro-Bono-Project-2571/

June 11, 2008 at 4:54 PM 
Blogger anonymous said...

I can't believe what I'm reading. I have known geno for about a year now and if it wasn't for him my family and I would be in the sreets. We are still able to live in our home now because of him. Thanks geno.

June 19, 2008 at 12:59 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are not real or you must be one of Gino's accomplices in the scam game. Or how dare you defend this heartless and morally bankrupt felon like Gino. As for me, you have lied by making us believe that Gino helped you. You are either Gino or one of his paid rogues, otherwise, nobody in his or her right senses can be defending Gino. You make a mockery of yourself by your action. And I hate to break the news to you that nothing good can come out of the man called Gino except lies, dishonesty and the taking of vulnerable people's homes by deceit and asserting that he made no promises. He will be rounded up and caught one of these days either by the FBI or the District Attorneys who are already monitoring his activities.

June 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Gino really helped you stay in your home it's not because of the goodness of his heart and his love for you, you will learn eventually how he manipulate's people at the time when they are at their most vulnerable. Trust me when I say you will not be in your home much longer if you continue to deal with this fraud. CANT YOU SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL? Did you read or hear one good thing about this creep? Don't be an idiot and say "thank's geno" when 100 people are trying to tell you NOT TO DEAL WITH HIM! WE ALL TRUSTED HIM AT ONE POINT! HE won't be around much longer to "help" you anyway since the District Attorney is and has been investigating his shady dealing's plus there are many of us who will have our day in court with this low life degenerate. I invite you to come and support your "friend" Gino when this happen's so I can see what stupid look's like. Since you can see the reason for this original article was to warn people like you who deal with Gennaro Russo. SO APPARENTLY YOU CHOSE TO IGNORE THESE WARNING'S. GOOD LUCK YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IT. As for Gennaro you slimy scum still up to defrauding people, just a shout to alway's look behind you when you walk, until the day when your hauled off to prison. OH AND BY THE WAY IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE US JUST GOOGLE HIS NAME AND LOOK AT HIS CRIMINAL RECORD AND HOW MANY TIME HE TRIED TO APPEAL AND LOST. ALWAYS TRYING TO SCAM THE SYSTEM.

June 28, 2008 at 11:14 AM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gino is a scam artist. No matter what you write about Gino, he remains a morally bankrupt man who believes in taking advantage of vulnerable people going through foreclosure. He will face the music very soon and might end up in jail where he rightly belongs. I hate break the news to you that Gino is a deceiver and a fraudster of the highest order. Nothing good can come out of him. So I don't believe that Gino can help anybody. This is a man without a conscience. Both the laws of the United States and the law of Karma will catch up with him soon and he will reap the reward of his corruption and his children will also inherit the reward of his wickedness to fellow humans.

June 28, 2008 at 9:52 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No need to worry now. The FBI is on him just like I knew would happen to this scum.

October 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This parasite has re-surfaced & has been scaming a dear friend & family for months now. He's in business with a couple of people who are even trying steal from tenants without his knowing, & yes him & Dave are friends. WATCH OUT FOR THIS GERM & Marvin Govins/Gennaro Rauso they are scam artists. Rent at your own risk & give money if you charity!!!!!!

June 24, 2009 at 6:27 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello everyone,i just found out about this scum bag due to the fact that a house he rent to own,for me and my family a couple of months ago goes up for sherif sell sept.1, i have been in contact with the d.a,the f.b.i and the us marshells this man messed up big time trying to scam all of us but soon and very soon the dirty low life dog will get whats comming to him mark my words him and his whole crew.Dave(the plumber).Bill(thehandy man).Dave(the electrican).Maria(the secartry).and Marvin Goviens(his spokes man).

June 26, 2009 at 4:35 PM 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home