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A Western New York real estate broker had his real estate license revoked by the state, after admitting to illegally flipping more than 80 area properties. YNN's Katie Bogey tells us how local officials were able to put a stop to these property scams.

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- James Graham made a lot of money illegally flipping a house like this. The state revoked the Rochester based real estate broker's license for flipping. Graham also failed to uphold property management agreements in Buffalo and Tonawanda. He will pay more than a half million dollars in judgments.

“We had many people who contacted us saying. we tried to contact him, tried to contact him, tried to contact him and were not able to do so,” said Kathleen Lynch of Buffalo’s anti-flipping task force.

Buffalo’s Anti -Flipping Task Force received several complaints and reached out to the department of state to take action on them.

"This is not a slap on the wrist. This individual has lost his ability to practice his profession," said Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.

Graham operated Genesis REI. He admitted he sold properties without disclosing how little he paid for them. Graham bought this property for $70,000. He sold it for $160,000 without disclosing what he'd paid.

"It's different than fraud. He was a licensed realtor. He had ethical and fiduciary responsibilities that he abandoned," said Lynch.

Graham sold this house for $36,000. The problem is he didn't own the house before he sold it. A week after selling it, he went to the owner and bought it for $12,000. Graham pocked $24,000 on the deal.

“It taints the profession and it is a lost opportunity for buffalo when there are people willing to invest,” said Lynch.

Graham also admitted to failing to collect money, pay bills and keep properties in good repair for those who hired him as a property manager. Local officials said revoking graham’s license sends a message.

“You don’t want to mess with buffalo when it comes to fraudulent and scamming activity,” said Assemblyman Hoyt.