https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-confessions-of-judgment/?srnd=premiumVery sad situation indeed, and embarrassing to know how many Shomrei Shabbos are in this business of ruining people's lives for personal financial gain.
I have a friend who unfortunately signed one of these "confessions of judgment" and ended up shutting down his business. Luckily he might have been personally spared from financial ruin by this (other than losing his business).
When a relative was entering this business and discussed it with me, I told him that I feel that the worst part about this business (even without the "confession of judgment" trick) is that it simply destroys one's moral compass.
The day when there's a crackdown on these operations can't come soon enough, and now I learn that this should come to the front burner and become a major issue in NY politics. NY shouldn't be allowed to be the venue for these kinds of things.