Attorney General Eric T Schneiderman and the  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced a lawsuit against RD Legal Funding, LLC, two related entities, and Roni Dersovitz, the companies’ founder and owner, for allegedly scamming 9/11 heroes out of money intended to cover medical costs, lost income, and other critical needs.

RD Legal also allegedly conned National Football League (NFL) concussion victims.

The Attorney General’s office and the CFPB allege that the illegal scheme deceived 9/11 first responders with cancer and other illnesses and football players with brain injuries out of millions of dollars by luring them into costly advances on compensation fund and settlement payouts by lying about the terms of the deals.

In the suit filed in federal court, the lawsuit seeks to put an end to the company’s illegal practices, obtain relief for the victims, and impose penalties.

“The alleged actions by RD Legal - scamming 9/11 heroes and former NFL players struggling with severe injuries - are simply shameful. RD Legal used deceptive tactics to charge unlawfully high interest rates for advances on settlement and compensation funds, allowing them to profit off the backs of these unsuspecting individuals,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.

“My office will do all it can to end the fraudulent practices employed by RD Legal, recoup the illegal amounts charged by this company - and make these victims whole again.”

The CFPB and New York Attorney General complaint can be found here.