NEWARK — New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly Ricketts is urging victims of the Law Centers for Consumer Protection, a Vermont-based "debt-reduction" business whose principals and employees were convicted of fraud, to contact the U.S. Department of Justice to find out if they’re entitled to restitution.

According to the U.S. Attorney, District of Vermont, some 20,000 clients who had serious problems with unsecured debt, primarily credit card debt, were represented by the Law Centers for Consumer Protection. The debt-reduction business, which was based in Bennington, Vt., recruited clients from 16 states, including New Jersey. The Law Centers for Consumer Protection was a successor firm to the Andrew F. Capoccia Law Centers of Albany, N.Y. In 2003, a federal grand jury indicted Andrew Capoccia and other principals and employees of the Law Centers on fraud charges. All defendants, except Capoccia, pleaded guilty. Capoccia was convicted on all charges in April 2005 after a jury trial, according to the Department of Justice.

While investigating the two companies, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont initiated civil actions seeking forfeiture of nearly $3 million allegedly representing proceeds of the frauds committed by the companies, their principals and employees. The U.S. Government intends to distribute any forfeited funds as partial restitution to former clients of both companies.

"The U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont has a list of all former clients who are owed money by the Law Center," Director Ricketts said. "However, many of the addresses it has for former clients are no longer current. Anyone who believes he or she is owed money by the Law Centers and who has moved since last contacted by the Law Centers should contact the U.S. Department of Justice to provide his or her current address."

Victims may reach the Department of Justice’s Victim Notification Center, toll-free, at 866-DOJ-4YOU (365-4968). Victims may also call the U.S. Attorney in Vermont at 802-951-6725.

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