Freedom Debt Relief, one of the country’s largest debt settlement companies, misled debt-saddled consumers about the amount of money they would save and the services it would provide while reaping large profits in up-front fees.

As part of the settlement, Freedom Debt Relief will pay $1.1 million to refund former customers, offer current customers hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds if they withdraw from the program, and pay $100,000 in penalties to the state. The agreement is available at www.ag.ny.gov/media_center.

The announcement comes as National Consumer Protection Week begins, and the Attorney General reminded New Yorkers that taking legal action against misconduct is just one way to attack fraud and abuse (see below for tips for consumer-faced with significant credit card or other debt). “Freedom Debt promised relief and financial stability, but left thousands of its customers even farther in the red,” Attorney General Schneiderman said.

“On a regular basis, to operate and manage these business activities require serious contact time of up to 15 hours per day. It’s hard work and commitment as it also robs me of family time,” he admits. Patterson who started his business ten years ago, however attributes his success and longevity to what he called love and respect” to the customers.

A graduate of the Manchester High School in Mandeville, Jamaica WI., Patterson said his ambition was to become a solider, but later changed his mind and pursued professional training as an electrician.Patterson later migrated to the US and was employed as a shipping clerk, while he and his friend and business associate, Uriel “Reds” Richards operated the sound system, Music Channel.

Richards, a former professional soccer player is also currently the night manager at Memories Lounge.Both Patterson and Richards are very excited and optimistic about the future of Memories Lounge and Restaurant despite what they called the “challenging times and excessive NY State regulations.”

“As long as we continue to take care of our customers including a safe and clean environment, we are good,” Richards adds.

Under the slogan, “The place where memories are made,” Memories Lounge is one of the North Bronx leading entertainment spots with nightly attractions and free serving of finger foods. Next month, (February) Memories will be celebrating its 10th anniversary and Patterson notes that, “we could not have done it without the support of our many customers as well as the staff.”

Sophia Lorraine Greene recently wrote and published the book “Ladies By the Well” which highlighted the challenges of living in America as an immigrant from Jamaica as well as “juggling” career and family.

She migrated to United States in the winter of 1987 and attended New York City Technical College and Borough of Manhattan Community College. A few years later she also attended Willfred Cosmetology School.

Greene most passionate endeavor is being an advocate for children. She is noted motivational speaker who is available for speaking conferences and workshops.

She has been featured on 93.5 FM with the “Dance Master” and cable channel 68 on the Safia Seivwright Show both in New York City.

She was born in Kingston, Jamaica on December 1, 1968 where she attended St. John’s Primary School, Gaynstead High School and Durham Business College.

Greene enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, reading, sight seeing and learning about different cultures.

Copies of her book can be obtained at Rosedogbookstore.com, Amazon.com or Sangsters Book Store in Portmore St. Catherine, Books and CD Book Store at Norman Manley International Airport.

Additionally, Sophia can be emailed at Slgreene@live.com or (718) 919- 6002[svgallery name=""][svgallery name=""]