In the following press release and pursuant to the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter has announced the filing of a lawsuit against a Merrillville resident for the unlicensed practice of real estate. Carter alleges that Denise B. Murphy received more than $3,000 in commission fees from the sale of property in northwest Indiana.

“We will not stand for individuals conducting business as a real estate agent without a license,” said Carter. “Performing such consumer transactions without the proper credentials undermines the profession and manipulates the system.”

Murphy, purportedly employed at the time as a loan originator, allegedly contacted a realty company regarding one of its listings in order to set up an appointment for a prospective buyer. Murphy took her “clients” to see the property in February 2007, and the buyers executed a Purchase Agreement shortly thereafter.  Murphy signed the Purchase Agreement as the selling agent and indicated that “Priority Plus” was the selling Real Estate Broker Company.  At closing, a commission check to “Priority Plus” was cut and endorsed by Murphy.

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency confirmed that there is no entity by the name of “Priority Plus” licensed as a Real Estate Broker Company in the State of Indiana.

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency also has no record of Murphy holding a license to sell real estate in Indiana.

The complaint against Murphy has been filed in the Lake Superior Court. The State is seeking a permanent injunction, restitution to be determined at trial, and civil penalties up to a maximum $5,500 per violation.

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office investigates complaints and allegations of professional violations by licensees, as well as unlicensed practice within professions requiring licensure in Indiana. Complaints against licensees who violate the laws of their profession are brought before the appropriate licensing board or commission for discipline, whereas unlicensed practice complaints are filed in court.