WOMAN GETS A YEAR IN THE SLAMMER FOR SWINDLING LENDERS & DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS - 02/29/12 03:00 PM
Maryland Woman Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Her Role in Extensive Mortgage Fraud Scheme Defendant Submitted Fraudulent Information to Obtain Loans Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Press Release WASHINGTON—Rasheeda M. Canty, a former mortgage broker, has been sentenced to a one-year prison term for her role in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme involving properties in the District of Columbia and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Daniel S. Cortez, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Washington Division. Canty, 38, of … (2 comments)
CHESAPEAKE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MORTGAGE FRAUD - ANOTHER FORECLOSURE RESCUE SWINDLER GOES DOWN - 02/29/12 09:59 AM
Chesapeake Man Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme Mortgage Fraud, Norfolk Top Stories, Press Release NORFOLK, VA—Ray D. Gata, 56, of Chesapeake, Va., pleaded guilty today in Norfolk federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent foreclosure rescue scheme. Gata faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 11, 2012. Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and John Boles, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Division, made the announcement after Gata’s plea was accepted by United States District Senior … (1 comments)
FORECLOSURE RESCUE SWINDLERS ORDERED TO PAY VICTIMS - 02/29/12 08:35 AM
Foreclosure Rescue Scammers Ordered to Pay $469,500 Property Solutions of N.J., PSRE Holding Company, Edward Toledo and Raymond Vega were found liable to the tune of $469,500 for their roles in deceiving struggling homeowners through a variety of mortgage foreclosure "rescue" practices. The defendants were found to have violated the Consumer Fraud Act through numerous unconscionable commercial practices. Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Olivieri in Hudson County, New Jersey, issued the final order granting judgment after a 10-day bench trial. Specifically, the defendants were found to have defrauded certain struggling homeowners by promising to help them keep their homes but, … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER PLEADS GUILTY TO SWINDLING LENDERS - 02/29/12 08:27 AM
Developer Admits Submitting False Documents to Lenders Tyler Fitzsimons, 33, appeared before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, and pleaded guilty to a variety of mortgage and loan fraud charges arising out of the collapse of his company, Desert Sun Development (DSD), including conspiracy, bank fraud, and money laundering. From 2004 through 2008, DSD, a company previously headquartered in Bend, Oregon, built commercial structures and residential housing throughout Central Oregon. According to the indictments, DSD principals and other defendants caused financial institutions to lose more than $19 million. According to court documents, Fitzsimons and others … (0 comments)
SWINDLER LIES ABOUT INCOME TO OBTAIN HOMES - 5 PROPERTIES & $2.2 MILLION - 02/29/12 08:23 AM
Fraudster Admits Lying About his Income to Obtain Loans Thomas E. Green, 57, Ocean City, Maryland, pled guilty to fraudulently securing nearly $2.2 million in loans to purchase five properties in Cape Charles, Virginia. Green pled guilty to conspiring to commit wire and bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 23, 2012. According to a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Green admitted that from January 2007 through September 2008 he conspired with others to commit mortgage fraud on various properties located in the Cape Charles, Eastern Shore, … (1 comments)
FLORIDA MORTGAGE BROKER NETS JAIL TIME FOR OCCUPANCY MISREPRESENTATIONS - 02/29/12 08:18 AM
Broker Sentenced for Occupancy Misrepresentations Mortgage Doctors, Inc. principal, Dennis Scoby, 42, Clearwater, Florida, was sentenced on February 13, 2012, by U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore to 2 1/2 years in federal prison for conspiring to commit mortgage fraud. The court also ordered Scoby to make restitution to victim lenders for over $4 million dollars, in addition to a $4 million forfeiture money judgment, as proceeds of the offense. On February 24, 2012, U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzarra sentenced Gregory Mulheran, 36, Valrico, Florida, to five years probation for his role as the loan processor and ordered him to pay … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE INVESTOR PLEADS GUILTY - ADMITS AUCTION BID RIGGING - 02/29/12 08:12 AM
Real Estate Investor Admits Rigging Bids at Auctions Wiley C. Chandler, a real estate investor, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions held in San Joaquin County, California. Chandler pleaded guilty to conspiring with a group of real estate speculators who agreed to rig bids and commit mail fraud when purchasing selected properties at public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County. The goals of the conspiracies were to suppress and restrain competition, to fraudulently obtain selected real estate at noncompetitive prices … (1 comments)
REAL ESTATE AGENTS CHARGED WITH FLIPPING FRAUD - 02/29/12 08:07 AM
Real Estate Agents Charged With Flipping Scheme Leonard Williams, 49, Sacramento, California, and Joshua Clymer, 25, Sacramento, California, are the subjects of a federal grand jury superseding indictment which alleges three counts of conspiring to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. Williams was previously indicted along with co-defendant Garret Griffith Gililland III in connection with two properties in Chico, California. The superseding indictment adds Clymer and identifies additional properties that Williams and Clymer are accused of flipping for as much as $100,000 over the price the two men paid to acquire the properties earlier the same day. The … (0 comments)
MARYLAND SERIAL SWINDLER PLEADS GUILTY - 02/29/12 08:02 AM
Serial Fraudster Admits Real Estate Fraud Winnie Joanne Barefoot, a/k/a Winnie Jo Budzina, a/k/a Winnie JoAnne Conn, a/k/a Joanne Knopsnyder, a/k/a Olivia JoAnne Morgan, a/k/a Olivia JoAnne Barefoot Morgan, 57, Annapolis, Maryland, pleaded guilty to bank fraud arising from her use of numerous identities to fraudulently obtain real estate and commercial loans while applying for and fraudulently receiving social security disability benefits. From December 2005 to August 2009, Barefoot used the identity of Olivia JoAnne Morgan and her daughter to engage in fraudulent real estate and loan transactions, including transactions involving three properties in Annapolis and a business entity she … (0 comments)
GEORGIA REVERSE MORTGAGE SWINDLERS WILL GO TO PRISON - 02/29/12 07:53 AM
Reverse Mortgage Scammers Sentenced Kelsey Torrey Hull, 39, Lithonia, Georgia, Jonathan Alred Kimpson, 28, Lithonia, Georgia, James Michael Green, 44, Lilburn, Georgia, Herbert Bush, 31, Atlanta, Georgia, Wilbur "Sonny" Letak, 44, Atlanta, Georgia, and Kevin Claude Barnett, 28, Atlanta, Georgia, a group of mortgage fraud conspirators, have been sentenced to prison by United States District Court Judge Julie Carnes in federal district court on multiple charges relating to a reverse mortgage scheme targeting the elderly. Hull was sentenced to 151 months in prison to be followed by 6 months of home confinement and 5 years of supervised release, and Kimpson was … (0 comments)
"HARD MONEY" LENDER PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD - 02/29/12 07:43 AM
Hard Money Lender Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Borrowers Robert J. Congdon, 61, Polson, Montana, d/b/a Cornerstone Financial, Inc., and K&B Investments, LLC., pled guilty during a federal court session in Missoula, Montana, on February 22, 2012, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch. Congdon pled guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Sentencing has been set for June 7, 2012. He is currently released on special conditions. In an Offer of Proof, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following: Congdon and another individual, identified here as "X.X.", incorporated Cornerstone Financial Inc. on May 16, … (1 comments)
CHARGES FILED IN DOUBLE HUD-1 FRAUD IN FLORIDA - 02/29/12 07:37 AM
5 Charged for Mortgage Fraud Involving Double HUD-1s Jacinto Puentes, 53, West Palm Beach, Florida, Elinor Puentes, 52, West Palm Beach, Theodore Tarone, 43, West Palm Beach, Raul Salabarria, 55, Royal Palm Beach, Florida, and Rogelio Ramirez, 42, Port Saint Lucie, Florida, have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme. If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of thirty years in prison. Three of the defendants, Jacinto Puentes, Elinor Puentes, and Raul Salabarria, made their initial appearances and were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge James … (1 comments)
My Pal - 02/28/12 08:26 PM
Max Mewsic is my pal. He'll be 12 on April 15th. He was 3 months old when he came to live in my home.
Be good to your cats and dogs. They're little people and need to be cared for just like you do. The bible says in Proverbs 12:10, "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast". Provide a good home for them. Contact your Humane Society and find out about adoption today. … (6 comments)
ALABAMA TITLE COMPANY OWNER SENTENCED FOR FRAUD - 02/28/12 04:36 PM
Title Company Owner Sentenced to 12 Months for Mail Fraud Financial, Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Press Release BIRMINGHAM—A federal judge on Monday sentenced the owner of a Birmingham property title company to 12 months and a day in prison for mail fraud in connection to a mortgage fraud scheme in which property ownership records were falsified in order to obtain mortgage loans, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent In Charge Patrick J. Maley, and Housing and Urban Development Inspector General David Montoya. U.S. District Judge Inge P. Johnson sentenced JERRY EUGENE PARKER, owner of Central Alabama Title, … (0 comments)
MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEMES AND TRENDS - 02/28/12 11:33 AM
Mortgage Fraud Schemes and Trends From the Federal Bureau of Investigation 2012 Financial Crimes Report Foreclosure Rescue Schemes: The perpetrators identify homeowners who are in foreclosure or at risk of defaulting on their mortgage loan. The perpetrators then mislead the homeowners into believing they can save their homes by transferring the deed or putting the property in the name of an investor. The perpetrators profit by selling the property to an investor or straw borrower, creating equity using a fraudulent appraisal, and stealing the seller proceeds or fees paid by the homeowners. The homeowners are sometimes told they can pay rent … (0 comments)
Mortgage Fraud Prevention Measures Tips to Protect Yourself Against Mortgage Fraud Get referrals for real estate and mortgage professionals. Check the licenses of the industry professionals with state, county, or city regulatory agencies. An outrageous promise of extraordinary profit in a short period of time signals a problem. Be wary of strangers and unsolicited contacts, as well as high-pressure sales techniques. Look at written information, to include recent comparable sales in the area and other documents such as tax assessments to verify the value of the property. Understand what … (0 comments)
You'll discover a remarkable overview of a frightening problem and the response to it in the FBI's latest Financial Crimes Report to the Public. The report—which covers the period from October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2011—explains dozens of fraud schemes, outlines emerging fraud and financial crime trends, details the accomplishments of the FBI in fighting financial crimes, and offers great tips on how to protect yourself from these crimes and the criminals who commit them. I encourage you to read it. Many thanks to our FBI, for the great work that they've done and continue to do everyday for our … (4 comments)
This Will Blow You Away - 02/28/12 08:10 AM
One of the ways the FBI becomes aware of mortgage fraud is through the analysis of suspicious activity reports (SARs), which are filed by federally insured financial institutions. Mortgage fraud SARs have increased from 6,936 in FY 2003 to 93,508 in FY 2011. SAR's have increased approximately 13.5 times in 8 years.
DAMN ! These SARs provide valuable intelligence in mortgage fraud trends and can lead to the initiation of mortgage fraud cases as well as the enhancement of current FBI investigations.
Note: Of those SARs that report a dollar loss, approximately 82 percent do not contain … (7 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1550 - 02/27/12 01:15 PM
#1550 Sally defaulted on her mortgage and subsequently missed a few payments in the process. He lender had to begin the foreclosure process. Before the foreclosure slae took place Sally paid back the entire amount and cured the debt. Sally has actually excercised her rights of statutory equitable limitation. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False Sally exercised her 'equitable right of redemption' . There's no such thing as a statutory equitable limitation. The equitable right of redemption is the right of a debtor to to redeem … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1549 - 02/27/12 01:12 PM
#1549 If a buyer gives a deposit check to a broker it can be held by the broker and retained contingent upon the rejection or acceptance of a buyer's offer. Is this fact true or false ? Please remember to take your time. The solution will be posted below the royalty free wildlife photo.
A. This is true. Most state real estate laws permit the broker to retain a buyer's deposit check until the seller either rejects or accepts the buyer's offer. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1548 - 02/27/12 01:08 PM
#1548 Money may be given to a broker to hold in trust or escrow for a buyer to pay for a home inspection. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo
A. This is true. A broker may receive money from a buyer to be held for a home inspection. A broker may also hold a good faith deposit. Can you think of anythoing that a broker can't retain in escrow or trust for a buyer, such as the money to purchase new drapes ? … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1547 - 02/27/12 01:05 PM
#1547 If the commission rate a listing broker has with a seller becomes a source of contention between the seller and the broker, the broker can change the commission structure at will without the consent of the selller, but the seller has the right to refuse the change to the commission structure. Is this true or false ? (watch out, it's tricky) Take your time. The solution is posted below the royalty free wildlife photo.
A. It's true and false. The commission rate has to be adjudicated between both the broker and the seller and the broker can't … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1546 - 02/27/12 12:52 PM
#1546 Any time a seller or buyer wants to create an agency relationship with a broker all the principal has to do is agree to the agency relationship orally. It actually doesn't have to be in writing. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photograph. (don't blow this one)
A. True It's possible, and legal, to create an agency agreement by either oral or written means. Some rule of evidence must be applied to confirm the agency relationship if it's an oral agreement. Make sure that you and your client understand what … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1545 - 02/27/12 12:50 PM
#1545 A house sits on top of a hill not far from the city landfill. You can see the dump trucks in the distance, but a nice forest is nearby. The agent says to the buyer, "This is absolutely one of the most beautiful views you'll find in the county, and this home is constructed of some of the best materials you'll find anywhere". The agent is committing fraud. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The agent is "puffing". Puffing is an exaggerated expression more or … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1544 - 02/27/12 12:48 PM
#1544 Any time a broker takes a listing the seller has given the broker the right to enter into a firm contract on behalf of the seller and decide the selling price if the seller can't decide. Is this fact true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The broker's listing agreement with a seller does not give the broker the authority to enter into a legal contract on behalf of the seller, nor establish a selling price for the property. The seller sets the price. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1543 - 02/27/12 12:35 PM
#1543 When we talk about dual agency we're usually talking about a form of agency which is considered legal as long as the agent receives the same amount of money and compensation from both of the principals involved in the agency agreement. Is this considered to be true or false ? Remember to take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False Dual agency is legal in most every state as long as both the buyer and the seller are told that the agent is representing boith of them, and both the buyer and … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1542 - 02/27/12 12:33 PM
#1542 Your company listed a home for seller A. B came to see you about the house and you told B that you couldn't give them any information about A's house until they signed a buyer's agency agreement. Does B have to sign a buyer's agency agreement ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. No Your company has the right to share information about A's property, B doesn't have to sign a buyer's agency agreement, and has B has a right to information which may be shared with them about A,s property. An … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1541 - 02/27/12 12:32 PM
#1541 An agent has an obligation to perform the duties in an agency relationship of confidence, obedience, accountability, loyalty, disclosure to both the principal who grants the agent the authority to deal with third parties, and any third parties making inquiries. Is this true or false ? Please remember to take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The agent only owes the duties of confidence, obedience, accountability, loyalty and disclosure to the principal who hires the agent. Third parties, and the principal, are entitled to the performance of duty which demonstrates reasonable skill and care for all parties. … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE INVESTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO VIOLATION OF ANTI-TRUST ACT - 02/25/12 09:31 AM
California Investor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging and Fraud at Public Real Estate Foreclosure Auctions 10th Guilty Plea in the Investigation to Date Press Release, White-Collar Crime SACRAMENTO, CA—A real estate investor pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Sacramento to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions held in San Joaquin County, Calif., Sharis A. Pozen, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, and Benjamin B. Wagner, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, announced. Wiley C. Chandler pleaded guilty to conspiring with a group … (4 comments)
Click the cute little red "Fraud Files" button ! It won't bite you, but the stories might. … (2 comments)
BIRMINGHAM WOMAN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR LYING TO FEMA - 02/24/12 07:05 AM
Birmingham Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for False Statement to FEMA Fraud, Press Release BIRMINGHAM—A federal judge today sentenced a Birmingham woman to two years in prison for a false statement she made to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in an attempt to gain disaster benefits after the April 27 tornadoes, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge James E. Ward, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley. Chief U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn sentenced LIBRA NIKOSHA GREEN, 32, for falsely telling … (2 comments)
HOME ELEVATION PROGRAM OFFICIALS PLEAD GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT BRIBERY - 02/24/12 06:56 AM
Officials from Home Elevation Program Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Fraud, Press Release NEW ORLEANS—WANDA ACKER WILLIAMS, age 33, and BRIANNA LAFRANCE, age 31, both of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty as charged before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to one count bills of information charging each with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. According to the court documents, prior to March 25, 2011, LAFRANCE was an agent of the Office of Community Development/Disaster Recovery Unit (OCD/DRU) (State of Louisiana) in her capacity as a mitigation analyst of the Hazard Mitigation … (0 comments)
INVESTORS PLEAD GUILTY TO BID RIGGING AT MUNICIPAL TAX LIEN AUCTIONS - 02/23/12 02:58 PM
Two Financial Investors Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging at Municipal Tax Lien Auctions in New Jersey Fraud, Press Release, White-Collar Crime WASHINGTON—Two financial investors who purchased municipal tax liens at auctions in New Jersey pleaded guilty today for conspiring to rig bids for the sale of tax liens auctioned by municipalities throughout the state, the Department of Justice announced. A felony charge was filed today in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark, N.J., against Robert W. Stein of Huntington Valley, Pa., and David M. Farber of Cherry Hill, N.J. Under the plea agreements, which … (4 comments)
MAN SENTENCED FOR SENDING FALSE DOCUMENTS TO HUD - 02/23/12 02:07 PM
Manalapan Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion, Making False Statements Press Release, White-Collar Crime TRENTON, NJ—A Manalpan, N.J., man who admitted evading his personal taxes and sending false documents to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to receive federal funding to which he was not entitled was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Eric Logiudice, 42, previously pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with one count of tax evasion and one count of making false statements. The false statements were made in documents submitted … (0 comments)
MARYLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MORTGAGE FRAUD CONSPIRACY - 02/23/12 01:54 PM
Ocean City, Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Eastern Shore Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy Mortgage Fraud, Press Release NORFOLK, VA—Thomas E. Green, 57, of Ocean City, Maryland, pled guilty today to fraudulently securing nearly $2.2 million in loans to purchase five properties in Cape Charles, Virginia. Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. Green pled guilty to conspiring to commit wire and bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for May … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER PLEADS GUILTY TO BANK FRAUD - 02/23/12 01:46 PM
Former Bend-Area Developer Pleads Guilty to $20 Million Bank Fraud Cases Relate to the Collapse of Desert Sun Development in Bend, Oregon Breaking News, Financial, Fraud, Press Release, White-Collar Crime EUGENE, OR—Tyler Fitzsimons, 33, appeared before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 and pleaded guilty to a variety of mortgage and loan fraud charges arising out of the collapse of his company, Desert Sun Development (DSD), including conspiracy, bank fraud, and money laundering. From 2004 through 2008, DSD, a company previously headquartered in Bend, Oregon, built commercial structures and residential housing throughout Central Oregon. … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE AGENT & 8 OTHERS CHARGED WITH FRAUD - 02/22/12 01:52 PM
Local Real Estate Agent and Eight Other Industry Professionals Charged in Massive Mortgage Fraud Scheme That Caused at Least $15 Million in Losses Mortgage Fraud, Press Release, San Diego Top Stories United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the unsealing of an indictment today charging a local real estate agent, Eric Elegado, and eight other mortgage industry professionals—Charmagne Elegado, Theodore Cohen, Minh Nguyen, Regidor Pacal, Alexander V. Garcia, Roman Macabulos, Ramin Lotfi, and Roderick Huerto, with multiple counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and criminal forfeiture. According to court proceedings, these defendants engaged in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud … (6 comments)
OHIO MAN CHARGED IN MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME - 02/22/12 08:39 AM
Kenton Man Charged in Mortgage Fraud Scheme Mortgage Fraud, Press Release Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, today announced the filing of an information charging Phillip L. Weaver, age 49, of Kenton, Ohio, with conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud. The information alleges that between 2004 to 2007, the defendant and others, for the purpose of obtaining mortgage loans, falsified documents submitted to potential mortgage lenders. The information charges that during this period, the defendant sold residential real estate in Hardin County and Hancock County, primarily to subprime borrowers. It is alleged that purchase … (0 comments)
TAX PREPARER PLEADS GUILTY TO MORTGAGE FRAUD - 02/22/12 08:17 AM
Tax Preparer Admits Mortgage Fraud Scheme Patricia Ann King, 57, Bakersfield, California, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax document and to three counts of mail fraud for her role in a mortgage fraud scheme. According to the susperseding indictment and plea agreement in the mortgage fraud case, from approximately October 2005 to July 2006, King assisted other defendants in carrying out a scheme to defraud mortgage lenders, including WMC Mortgage Corp. and SunTrust Mortgage Inc. by submitting false documentation in support of loan applications prepared by the co-defendants. During this time period, King was a tax return preparer … (0 comments)
PRESIDENT OF GREAT ATLANTIC GROUP GUILTY OF REAL ESTATE PONZI SCHEME - $14 MILLION SWINDLED - 02/22/12 08:13 AM
Jury Finds New Yorker Guilty of Ponzi Scheme Joseph Mazella, the founder and president of the Great Atlantic Group Inc., Staten Island, New York, a real estate and financial consulting company, was found guilty by a jury in Brooklyn, NewYork, following two weeks of trial. The defendant was convicted on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, which arose out of the his operation of a Ponzi scheme that led to more than $14 million in losses. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carol B. Amon, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison on the most serious charge. The evidence … (2 comments)
REAL ESTATE INVESTOR NETS THREE YEARS IN PRISON - 02/22/12 08:08 AM
Real Estate Investor Sentenced to 3 Years for Fraud Richard Pettibone, 44, formerly of Alexandria, Virginia, pleaded guilty to operating a $1.5 million real estate investment Ponzi scheme and was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents, between 2002 and 2006, Pettibone operated Benten Investors, which Pettibone advertised as an investment company in the real estate and private lending market. Pettibone received at least $2 million from investors based on lies and misrepresentations regarding the use of investors' funds, the investment risk, and the amount of return on the investment, including that … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE AGENT COMMITS FORGERY - BANKRUPTCY FRAUD - 02/22/12 08:01 AM
Real Estate Agent Forges Buyer's Name in Bankruptcy Case Gary Kevin Coats pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge David W. Daniel to bankruptcy fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 157(3), for forging a buyer's name and initials on a offer to purchase a condominium. The bankruptcy court was unaware that Coats had made a side deal to received additional funds upon the sale. According to the criminal information filed on December 20, 2011, Coats filed a voluntary petition for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 10, 2009. A Chapter 7 Trustee was appointed and Coats, then a … (0 comments)
THREE CHARGED IN LOAN MODIFICATION FRAUD - 02/22/12 07:53 AM
Loan Modification Scams Still Going Strong Ziad Nabil Mohammed, Daniel Al Saffar and Sara Beth Bushore Rosengrant, each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud for their roles in operating a fraudulent mortgage loan modification business, pled guilty in federal court in San Diego, California. According to the plea agreements, Mohammed, Saffar and Rosengrant admitted that they operated the fraudulent loan audit and modification business, located in San Diego, California, under the names "Compliance Audit Solutions, Inc." ("CAS") and CAS Group, Inc., ("CAS Group"). Daniel Al Saffar admitted that he worked as a sales representative in connection with the operation. According to … (2 comments)
LOAN OFFICERS CHARGED FOR STRAW BUYER SCAM - 02/22/12 07:48 AM
Loan Officers Charged for Straw Buyer Scam Simon Saed Alizadeh and Kian Ashkanizadeh were indicted on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme involving four expensive homes located on Triton Street, Carlsbad, California. The charges were returned by a federal grand jury on February 2, 2012. According to the indictment, the defendants, who worked at a mortgage company called Southern California Finance, recruited family members and friends to supply their names and signatures on mortgage loan applications as the purported buyers for these million-dollar homes. The defendants then fabricated the job titles, income, and assets … (0 comments)
SETTLEMENT REACHED IN LAWSUIT ALLEGING FHA VIOLATIONS - 02/22/12 07:43 AM
Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Alleging FHA Violations CitiMortgage, Inc., a subsidiary of CitiBank, N.A., was the subject of a civil lawsuit, which was immediately settled. The Complaint sought damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) for over six years of misconduct in connection with its participation in the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) Direct Endorsement Lender Program. In the settlement, CitiMortgage “admits, acknowledges, and accepts responsibility” for certain conduct alleged in the Complaint including, “[failing] to comply fully with all HUD-FHA requirements with respect to certain loans,” and “[submitting] to … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER CHARGED WITH FRAUD - 02/22/12 07:38 AM
Real Estate Developer Charged with Fraud Reginald R. Harper, 58, Hammond, Louisiana, and Troy A. Fouquet, 43, Covington, Louisiana, were charged in a one count bill of information for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. According to court documents, in approximately 2004, Harper, the former president and chief executive officer of First Community Bank, Hammond, Louisiana, loaned in excess of $2 million to Fouquet, a real estate developer, or one of a number of companies Fouquet owned. The purpose of the loans were to purchase parcels of real estate; develop them into subdivisions; and built houses on them, eventually to be bought by prospective home buyers who would obtain … (0 comments)
FOUR CONVICTED OF MORTGAGE FRAUD - INFLATED SALES - 02/22/12 07:35 AM
4 Convicted of Mortgage Fraud After 5 Week Trial William Randolph Tisdale, 46, Dallas, Texas, and three other codefendants were convicted following a nearly five-week jury trial for their roles in a mortgage fraud scheme that was run by Eugene J. Lockhart, 49, Carrollton, Texas, a former Dallas Cowboy football player. Lockhart and Tisdale were convicted on all counts of a superseding indictment charging them with various offenses related to a mortgage fraud scheme in which they participated in the Dallas, Texas, area from approximately 2002 to 2005. U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis declared a mistrial for defendant Suzette Switzer Hinds, 46, Dallas, Texas, as the jury … (0 comments)
FORMAL MAYORAL CANDIDATE SENTENCED FOR FRAUD - INFLATED SALES PRICE KICKBACK SCHEME - 02/22/12 07:30 AM
Former Mayoral Candidate Sentenced for Kickbacks H. Gregory Cordell, 46, Cartersville, Georgia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to federal prison for bank fraud related to a mortgage he obtained on property located in Cartersville, Georgia. Cordell was sentenced to 2 years, 3 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,005,804.20 in restitution. Cordell was convicted of these charges on November 30, 2011, after pleading guilty to bank fraud. According to the charges and other information presented in court: In March 2003, Cordell, a real estate agent and real estate … (2 comments)
What's a Good Sport ? - 02/21/12 07:37 AM
A good sport is someone who doesn't knock the pieces on the floor after they lose at checkers.
Similarly, a good sport is someone who is happy that a competitor closed a deal.
That's what good business is.
That kind of attitude shares the wealth.
A good sport gets by with a mistake or two and knows that next time he'll have new strategy.
And a good sport knows that there are more important things than money, but when you don't have any you take what you can get, as long as it's honestly, because … (2 comments)
Midnight Melody - 02/20/12 09:24 PM
Ruby Keeler was married to Al Jolson. She was the greatest dancer in show business during the depression. … (2 comments)
On February 10, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke addressed the 2012 National Association of Homebuilders International Builders' Show in Orlando, Florida. His topic was the national housing market, including an analysis of where it stands and where it's going: Quote Ben Bernanke: "One way to understand conditions in the housing market is to focus on the balance of supply and demand. For the past few years, the actual and potential supply of single-family homes has greatly exceeded the effective demand. The elevated number of homes that are currently vacant instead of owner occupied reflects … (8 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1540 - 02/20/12 01:16 AM
#1540 One of the great benefits that a buyer has by signing a buyer's agency agreement is that they have access to confidential information about the seller's absolute lowest price for the property. Is this fact true or false ? (if you blow this one shame on you) :-) Take your time. The solution is posted below the royalty free wildlife photo.
A. False A buyer retaining the services of a buyer's agent will never have access to information about the seller's negotiating position for the property. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1539 - 02/20/12 12:59 AM
#1539 A buyer's agent does not have the right to be be compensated by the seller. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False A buyer's agent may always accept a share of the commission that the listing broker has received from a seller. No agency relationship is established between the buyer's agent and the seller because of the commission split. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1538 - 02/20/12 12:50 AM
#1538 A contract is considered to be a void contract if it can't be enforced because of a statute of limitations. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted bel;ow the royalty free wildlife photo.
A. False If a statute of limitations is involved we have an expired contract. Contracts are considered void if some absolutely necessary component was removed from the contract renedering it unenforceable. The contract will have no legal impact. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1537 - 02/20/12 12:43 AM
#1537 If an option to purchase real estate has been recorded but has never been worked out, the option may always be reverted to a form of protection or collateral for a new loan. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False If the option is recorded and has never been carried out it creates a cloud on the title and may only be cleared by obtaining a release from the optionee. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1536 - 02/20/12 12:33 AM
#1536 A latent defect never has to be disclosed to a buyer because of the confidential nature of the relationship the broker has with the seller. Is this fact true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False A latent defect always has to be disclosed to the buyer by the seller or by the seller's broker. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1535 - 02/20/12 12:26 AM
#1535 When we talk about a latent defect we're speaking of a defect endemic to a particular property and obvious. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False A latent defect is never obvious and is usually a hidden defect on a property. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1534 - 02/20/12 12:19 AM
#1534 When we spedak about a dual agency, a rule of thumb is that any time an agent assumes dual agency the dual agent is obligated to disclose all confidential information to both parties. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo ?
A. False A dual agent has an obligation to keep all confidential information confidential between the parties, and to not disclose confidential information to either party in the dual agency relationship. The cardinal rule is to not disclose either parties negotiating position. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1533 - 02/20/12 12:15 AM
#1533 If a listing broker negotiates the sale of a property with a ready, willing and able buyer and all of the terms established between the buyer and seller are met, and correspond with the terms of the listing agreement, if the seller decides not to sell the property the seller isn't obligated to pay the broker a commission. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False If all of the terms of the listing agreement are met and the broker has presented a ready, willing and able buyer … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1532 - 02/20/12 12:11 AM
#1532 When an agreement to purchase real estate is created, a purchase agreement, it must state what the methods of payment will be from the buyer, the type of financing terms arranged by the buyer, the listing price of the property, and the total purchase price of the property. Is this true or false ? Please take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The agreement to purchase does not have to include the listing price, but all of the other considerations are included.
… (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1531 - 02/20/12 12:08 AM
#1531 When a provision is added to a contract for the purchase of property (a purchase agreement) that states the contract will not become a binding contract unless the buyer has secured the financing necessary for the purchase of the property this provision is commonly referred to as a clause attesting to the defeasability of occupancy. Is this considered to be true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo,
A. False Whenever a provision is included in apurchase and sale agreement that makes the purchase contingent on the occurrence of financing this … (0 comments)
How to Shut Your Local, State and National Realtor Boards Down - 02/19/12 12:51 PM
NAR could put together a committe to determine whether or not there's a conspiracy to shut NAR down. Even if no client-broker relationships have been established with NAR. Only fees for dues and products have been paid. The real estate brokerages of the United States can shut the National Association of Realtors down by terminating their relationship with NAR which includes the local, state and national realtor board.
Affiliate realtors will have to seek affiliation with NAR brokerages upon being notified of the termination of their current principal brokers status with NAR, resign or retire their license, or terminate their relationship with NAR and … (18 comments)
FORMER REALTOR AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER NETS PRISON SENTENCE FOR FRAUD - 02/17/12 03:28 PM
Former Cartersville Mayoral Candidate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bank Fraud Cordell Received Over $1 Million from Mortgage Scheme Bank Crime, Financial, Press Release ATLANTA—H. GREGORY CORDELL, 46, of Cartersville, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to federal prison for bank fraud related to a mortgage he obtained on property located in Cartersville. United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, “Mortgage fraud involving fraudulently inflated sales prices contributed to the housing bubble that, when it burst, caused so much damage to the economy in Georgia and across our nation. … (2 comments)
MAN & WOMAN NET PRISON SENTENCES FOR DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD - 02/17/12 11:37 AM
West Alabama Man, Tuscaloosa Woman Sentenced in Separate Disaster Fraud Cases Fraud, Press Release BIRMINGHAM ALA federal judge today sentenced a West Alabama man to 21 months in prison for fraudulently claiming disaster benefits following the April 27 tornadoes in Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley, and James E. Ward, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General. U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced ROBERT LEE SPIRES, 47, on two counts of attempted wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Federal … (0 comments)
LEADER OF VIOLENT DOCUMENT FRAUD RING SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON - 02/17/12 11:30 AM
Leader of Sophisticated, Violent Fraudulent Document Ring Sentenced in Virginia to 25 Years in Prison Press Release RICHMOND, VA—Israel Cruz Millan, 26, of Raleigh, N.C., was sentenced today to 25 years in prison, after having pleaded guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy; conspiring to possess, produce, and transfer false identification documents; and conspiring to engage in money laundering. Further, the defendant is illegally within the United States and will be deported following the service of his prison sentence. Cruz Millan managed all operations in the United States overseeing 19 cells in 11 states, including three cells in Virginia. Neil … (2 comments)
Now you have a snappy comeback that's supposed to insure that your partisanship won't kill the damned deal. You proudly raise your perfumed head, smile, shrug your shoulders and say, "I'm a Realtor ! I belong to the Realtor party !" Which effectively clouds the question, takes you out of the fight, throws a monkey wrench into the dialogue, and usually puts an end to … (6 comments)
GUILTY PLEA IN BALTIMORE HOUSING AUTHORITY FRAUD - 02/16/12 02:34 PM
Second Conspirator Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Fraudulently Obtain Over $1.399 Million from Baltimore Housing Authority Account Financial, Fraud, Press Release, White-Collar Crime BALTIMORE—William Allen Darden, age 44, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.399 million from a Baltimore Housing Authority (BHA) bank account in just a few months. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to his guilty … (0 comments)
MAYOR ARRESTED FOR BRIBERY - 02/16/12 12:10 PM
Mayor of Barceloneta Arrested for Bribery Press Release, Public Corruption SAN JUAN, PR—Today, Sol Luis Fontanes-Olivo, mayor of the municipality of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents for bribery, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The complaint charging Fontanes-Olivo with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds was authorized last night by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Aida Delgado-Colón. According to the affidavit there are audio and video recordings of Fontanes-Olivo making arrangements for payments and receiving the same. The bribe payments were picked … (2 comments)
BANK PRESIDENT & REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER CHARGED WITH FRAUD CONSPIRACY - 02/16/12 11:26 AM
Former Bank President and Real Estate Developer Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud Fraud, Press Release NEW ORLEANS—REGINALD R. HARPER, age 58, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, and TROY A. FOUQUET, age 43, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, were charged today in a one count bill of information for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. According to court documents, in approximately 2004, HARPER, the former president and chief executive officer of First Community Bank, a bank located in Hammond, Louisiana, loaned in excess of $2 million to FOUQUET, a real estate developer, or one … (0 comments)
LO'S CHARGED WITH FRAUD - 02/15/12 10:37 PM
Two North County Loan Officers Charged in Scheme to Fraudulently Obtain Mortgages in Carlsbad and Siphon Nearly $1 Million in Bogus Fees Mortgage Fraud, Press Release United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Simon Saed Alizadeh was arraigned in federal court in San Diego today on an indictment charging Alizadeh and Kian Ashkanizadeh with conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme involving four expensive homes on Triton Street in Carlsbad, California. The charges were returned by a federal grand jury on February 2, 2012. Co-defendant Ashkanizadeh was arraigned on the … (0 comments)
THREE LOAN MOD SWINDLERS PLEAD GUILTY - 02/15/12 10:30 PM
Operators of Mortgage Loan Modification Business Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Fraud Mortgage Fraud, Press Release SAN DIEGO, CA—Three individuals charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud for their roles in operating a fraudulent mortgage loan modification business pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy. According to the plea agreements, Ziad Nabil Mohammed Al Saffar and Sara Beth Bushore Rosengrant admitted that they operated the fraudulent loan audit and modification business, located in San Diego, California, under the names “Compliance … (0 comments)
REALTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO BANKRUPTCY FRAUD - 02/15/12 10:24 PM
Raleigh Realtor Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud Fraud, Press Release NEW BERN—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday GARY KEVIN COATS, pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge David W. Daniel to bankruptcy fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 157(3). According to the criminal information filed on December 20, 2011, COATS filed a voluntary petition for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 10, 2009. A Chapter 7 Trustee was appointed and COATS, then a licensed realtor and operator of Featured Properties, LLC, was notified by an Order and Notice to … (2 comments)
RATINGS ON MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES LEADS TO LAWSUIT - 02/15/12 10:17 PM
Ratings on Mortgage-Backed Securities Leads to Lawsuit Standard & Poor is the subject of a civil lawsuit for its fraudulent role in assigning its highest ratings to risky mortgage-backed investments in the years leading up to the housing market crash. The complaint alleges that Standard & Poor's, or S&P, compromised its independence as a ratings agency by doling out high ratings to unworthy, risky investments as a corporate strategy to increase its revenue and market share. S&P ignored the increasing risks posed by mortgage-backed securities, instead giving the investment pools ratings that were favorable to its investment bank client base and S&P's profits. … (0 comments)
CLOSING ATTORNEY GUILTY OF FRAUD - 02/15/12 10:13 PM
Closing Attorney Admits Recruiting Straw Buyers Michael R. Senick, 63, Old Tappan, New Jersey, a Bergen County lawyer, admitted to participating in a mortgage fraud scheme that caused lenders to release approximately $400,000 based on fraudulent mortgage loan applications. The defendant pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with bank fraud. He entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle in Camden, New Jersey, federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Between January 2004 and January 2006, Senick's accomplice located real estate properties to purchase and recruited straw buyers to purchase them. The straw … (0 comments)
TITLE COMPANY OWNER NETS A YEAR IN PRISON FOR FRAUD - 02/15/12 10:09 PM
Title Company Owner Sent to Prison for Stealing Escrow Funds Stephen J. Troese, Sr., 72, Davidsonville, Maryland, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Nickerson to a year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud arising from a scheme to defraud lenders and a title insurance company of $2,838,231. As previously reported by Mortgage Fraud Blog, Troese practiced as a title attorney and was variously an owner, part owner, or the controlling figure of a number of title companies that did business in the Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas, including Troese Title Services, Inc. (Troese … (0 comments)
MAN INDICTED FOR CASH BACK IN MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME - 02/15/12 10:06 PM
Man Indicted for Cash Back Mortgage Fraud Scam Mariano Vincente Cano, 39, was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, on an indictment that was returned by an Arizona federal grand jury on January 19, 2012. The indictment charges Cano with violations of federal law related to a cash back mortgage fraud scheme. Specifically, the indictment charges Cano with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Transactional Money Laundering. Cano is the eleventh defendant to be indicted in connection with this mortgage fraud scheme. The other ten defendants were previously charged by indictment. The indictment against Cano alleges that … (0 comments)
SWINDLER PLEADS GUILTY IN $3.2 MILLION MORTGAGE FRAUD SCAM - 02/15/12 10:03 PM
Guilty Plea Entered in $3.2M Mortgage Fraud Scam Domingos Dias, 42, New Haven, Connecticut, formerly of Trumbull, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and seven counts of wire fraud. The charges stem from Dias' involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme that has caused more than $3 million in losses to lenders. According to court documents and statements made in court, Dias participated in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain real estate loans from banks and mortgage lenders through the use of straw buyers. As part … (0 comments)
ESCROW COMPANY PRESIDENT CHARGED WITH FRAUD - 02/15/12 09:58 PM
Escrow Company President Charged for False HUD-1 Michelle Austin-Wilks, 38, Parkland, Florida, was charged in a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, for her participation in a mortgage fraud scheme. If convicted, Austin-Wilks faces up to thirty years imprisonment on the wire fraud charge. According to the criminal complaint, Michelle Austin-Wilks was President and Director of Direct Title & Escrow Services, Inc., Oakland Park, Florida. Austin-Wilks and others allegedly engaged in a scheme to enrich themselves by fraudulently buying and selling residential real estate property in Broward County, Florida, through straw buyers. These straw … (2 comments)
MORTAGE FRAUD CASE HAS SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT FILED - 02/15/12 09:37 PM
Superseding Indictment Filed in Mortgage Fraud Case Henry J. Papale, 60, Southington, Connecticut, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven, Connecticut, on eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering stemming from an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving four properties in Florida. The superseding indictment alleges that, in 2007, Papale persuaded two individuals to use their names and credit information to purchase four homes in Florida, purportedly as legitimate investments. Papale also obtained mortgage financing using the names and credit information of the two individuals. The following properties were involved in the scheme: 537 Gleneagles Circle, Davenport, Florida; … (2 comments)
MORTGAGE RESCUE FIRMS SUED - 02/15/12 09:23 PM
3 Mortgage Rescue Firms Sued for Fraudulent Practices Acceptance Financial Corporation, Northbrook, Illinois, and its president Anatoly Nirshberg, Elite Outsourcing Services, Inc., Midlothian, Illinois, and owner and operator Kenneth Thompson, Monee, Illinois, and International Embassy Realty Inc., Elgin, Illinois, and its president Sandro Rodriguez, St. Charles, Illinois, are the subject of civil lawsuit for alleged mortgage rescue schemes that conned distraught homeowners by charging thousands of dollars in upfront fees with false promises of helping them avoid foreclosure. Commonly referred to as "mortgage 'rescue' consultants," the schemes are run by con artists who promise phantom help. They claim that, for a hefty … (2 comments)
PRISON TIME FOR VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT SHAMMER - 02/15/12 09:15 PM
Fraudster Sent to Prison for Falsifying VOE Forms Ronald J. O'Malley, 48, Upper Saddle River, N.J., former chairman and commissioner of the Bergen County Improvement Authority ("BCIA") and principal in a mortgage brokerage firm, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that falsely claimed BCIA employment for numerous mortgage borrowers. O'Malley was a founder and co-owner of Diversified Financial Group, d/b/a Residential Mortgage Corporation ("Residential Mortgage"), Ridgewood, New Jersey. Former Residential Mortgage employee Laura-Jean Arvelo, 52, River Vale, New Jersey, also was sentenced and received a two-year term of probation. As previously reported by Mortgage … (0 comments)
FEDERAL PROSECUTORS TARGET WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINALS IN TENNESSEE - 02/15/12 09:09 PM
Federal Prosecutors Target White-Collar Criminals in Middle Tennessee Press Release, White-Collar Crime Nineteen people are facing federal charges as a result of an intense focus by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address white-collar crime in Middle Tennessee, announced U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin. In recent weeks, federal prosecutors have charged 19 people in 10 separate cases involving fraudulent schemes, which collectively have scammed more than $40 million from numerous victims and corporations. “If you defraud investors or otherwise engage in fraudulent schemes, then you will eventually get caught—and when you get caught, you should expect to be prosecuted by … (4 comments)
REEFER FOR REAL ESTATE - POT GROWN WITH PROCEEDS - 02/15/12 04:24 PM
Mortgage Fraud Money Used to Fund Marijuana Grow Houses Roberto Caro, 41, Miami-Dade, Florida, has pled guilty to one count of money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme and one count of conspiracy to manufacture and possess with intent to distribute marijuana. Caro also pled guilty to a related charge of bond jumping, arising from his failure to appear in court in January 2011 on the original charges. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 17, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez. Caro faces maximum possible prison sentences of up to 40 years for the … (2 comments)
CONTRACTORS CHARGED WITH FRAUD INVOLVING MINORITIES AND WOMEN - 02/14/12 09:19 PM
Two Area Contractors Charged with Fraud Involving Minority and Women Set-Asides for Government Construction Contracts Fraud, Press Release CHICAGO—Two owners of area construction businesses are facing federal charges for allegedly using companies they controlled to fraudulently obtain government contracts set aside for owners of minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises (M/W/DBEs). The charges in two separate cases made public today stem from an ongoing public corruption investigation by federal, state, and local authorities of alleged fraud by businesses falsely purporting to be minority- or women-owned, or by legitimate non-majority businesses being used as sham pass-through sub-contractors on public … (0 comments)
Attorney General Launches "Consumer Protection Working Group" to Destroy Fraud - 02/13/12 09:56 PM
Attorney General Eric Holder Launches Consumer Protection Working Group to Combat Consumer Fraud Working Group Created Under President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force Brings Together Federal, State, and Local Partners Press Release WASHINGTON—The Consumer Protection Working Group, formed under President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), convened its first meeting in Washington, D.C., today to address consumer fraud, which can financially cripple households and can cause extensive losses to our economy. The newly created group will work across federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, and with state and local partners, to strengthen efforts to address consumer-related … (4 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1530 - 02/13/12 11:26 AM
#1530 When a safety clause is added to a contract for the listing of a property it basically creates a measure of safety for the broker which effectively entitles the broker to a commission if the property is sold within a specified time, after the listing contract has expired, to a buyer that the broker had shown the property to during the term of the listing agreement. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. True The safety clause may be established for a set amount of time with a definite expiration date … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1529 - 02/13/12 11:00 AM
#1529 For a lease to be considered a binding contract it always has to be signed by the tenant. Is this considered to be true or false ? Remember to take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The best policy is always to have both the landlord and the tenant sign the lease agreement, but the only person that need to sign the lease for it to become a valid lease is the landlord. If the tenant pays the rent and takes possession of the property it's taken for granted that the tenant … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1528 - 02/13/12 10:51 AM
#1528 If a tenant farmer decides to build a hen house and a building for his tractor, who do these buildings belong to ? Take you time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. The tenant. If the tenant constructs a building on the property he owns it, unless other arrangements are made with the property owner. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1527 - 02/13/12 10:48 AM
#1527 If the buildings were blown to smithereens, vaporized, bombed, imploded or torn to pieces and the land is still there, what example has been established by recognizing that the land still in place ?
A. The indestructability of the land. This is one of the most prominent aspects of land. Land, essentially, cannot be destroyed. It can be moved and displaced from the surface, but it extends to the center of the earth. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1526 - 02/13/12 10:44 AM
#1526 If a landownber has posted a "no trespassing" or "no hunting" sign on his or her property, what stick in the bundle of legal rights is this person exercising ?
A. The right of exclusioon. The right of exclusion gives the landowner the right to say who or what has a right to be on their property. The other rights included in the bubdle of legal rights are the rights of "control", "enjoyment" and "disposition". … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1525 - 02/13/12 10:41 AM
#1525 When we consider the methods of annexation, adaptation and the type of agreement, these are considered the legal tests for determining whether or not an item is land or real estate ? True or false ?
A. False The method of annexation, the type of adaptation, and the kind of agreement entered into are the legal tests for considering whether or not an item is real property or personal property. In brief, the county assessors office might have more to do with whether or not an item is to be considered real property or personal property. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1524 - 02/13/12 10:06 AM
#1524 If a property owner doesn't want to deal with the day to day task of managing an apartment complex or any other form of rental property the owner can hire a developer. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The answer is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The property owner would hire a property manager to manage the property and see to the day to operation of it's affairs. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1523 - 02/13/12 10:02 AM
#1523 Appraisal, financing, property management, and real estate developement are all specializations directly linked to state and governmental finance policies. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False Financing, property management, appraisal and developement are considered separate professions within the real estate industry. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1522 - 02/13/12 09:58 AM
#1522 When the population of a town suddenly increases demand for housing will start to decrease and so will real estate prices. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The answer is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False The opposite is true. The demand for housing will begin to increase and home prices will start to follow the trend. Prices will increase. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1521 - 02/13/12 09:54 AM
#1521 If an option to purchase real estate has been recorded but has never been worked out, the option may always be reverted to a form of protection or collateral for a new loan. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False If the option is recorded and has never been carried out it creates a cloud on the title and may only be cleared by obtaining a release from the optionee. … (0 comments)
SWINDLER PLEADS GUILTY TO $3.2 MILLION FRAUD WITH STRAW BUYERS - 02/10/12 07:17 PM
Connecticut Man Admits Role in $3.2 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme Mortgage Fraud, Press Release David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOMINGOS DIAS, 42, of New Haven, formerly of Trumbull, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and seven counts of wire fraud. The charges stem from DIAS’ involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme that has caused more than $3 million in losses to lenders. According to court documents and statements made in court, DIAS … (2 comments)
Are Realtors® Becoming Extinct ? - 02/10/12 06:59 PM
The peak for the Memphis Area Association of Realtors® was 5406 Members in August of 2007. February 2012 - 3160 Members.
Source: MAAR … (3 comments)
ANOTHER REAL ESTATE SWINDLER GOES TO JAIL - 02/10/12 01:30 PM
Former Alexandria Businessman Pleads Guilty to $1.5 Million Ponzi Scheme and Sentenced to 36 Months Press Release, White-Collar Crime ALEXANDRIA, VA—Richard Pettibone, 44, formerly of Alexandria, Va., pleaded guilty today to operating a $1.5 million investment Ponzi scheme and was also sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Judge James Cacheris. According to court documents, … (0 comments)
REAL ESTATE SWINDLER FOUND GUILTY OF OPERATING MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PONZI SCHEME - 02/10/12 01:21 PM
Jury Finds Staten Island, New York Real Estate Developer Guilty of Operating Multi-Million-Dollar Ponzi Scheme Breaking News, Press Release, White-Collar Crime BROOKLYN, NY—Following two weeks of trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn, N.Y., today returned guilty verdicts against Joseph Mazella, the founder and president of the Great Atlantic Group Inc., a Staten-Island based real estate and financial consulting company, on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. These charges arose out of the defendant’s operation of a Ponzi scheme that led to more than $14 million in losses. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carol B. … (2 comments)
GUILTY PLEAS IN BID RIGGING AT FORECLOSURE AUCTIONS - 02/10/12 01:12 PM
Three Northern California Real Estate Investors Agree to Plead Guilty to Bid Rigging at Public Foreclosure Auctions Investigation Has Yielded 20 Plea Agreements to Date Press Release, White-Collar Crime WASHINGTON—Three Northern California real estate investors have agreed to plead guilty today for their roles in conspiracies to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Northern California, the Department of Justice announced. To date, as a result of the ongoing investigation, 20 individuals have agreed to plead guilty. Charges were filed today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Oakland, … (0 comments)
TWO CHARGED WITH FRAUD IN ONE OF THE LARGEST CREDIT UNION FAILURES IN HISTORY - 02/09/12 07:36 PM
Two Local Businessmen and Accountant Charged in Fraud Against Credit Union Press Release, White-Collar Crime A federal grand jury in Cleveland returned a 37-count indictment against two local businessmen, A. Eddy Zai and Ted M. Vannelli, and local accountant Zrino Jukic, with 25 of those charges relating to their participation in a fraud against St. Paul Croatian Federal Credit Union, formerly in Eastlake, Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland office and Darryl William, Special Agent in Charge, … (2 comments)
FBI BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION OF STEVE JOBS RELEASED - 02/09/12 12:12 PM
Not real estate although iPhone gurus would appreciate. Steve was great ! Background Investigation of Steve Jobs Released The 191-page document, released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), consists of the FBI’s 1991 background investigation of Steve Jobs for an appointed position on the U.S. President’s Export Council. The release also includes documents related to a 1985 investigation of a bomb threat against Apple. Click here. Courtesy FBI … (0 comments)
SWINDLER STEALS $1.39 MILLION FROM BALTIMORE HOUSING AUTHORITY - 02/09/12 11:47 AM
Conspirator Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Fraudulently Obtain Over $1.399 Million from Baltimore Housing Authority Account Defendant Provided His Identity to Conspirators to Illegally Transfer Funds Out of Housing Authority’s Bank Account Press Release BALTIMORE—Keith Eugene Daughtry, age 50, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1.399 million from a Baltimore Housing Authority (BHA) bank account in just a few months. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. … (0 comments)
FIRE COMMISSIONER SENTENCED TO 12 MONTHS & A DAY FOR FRAUD - 02/09/12 04:51 AM
Rockland County Fire Commissioner Sentenced to 12 Months and a Day in Prison for Engaging in Scheme to Defraud the Public Press Release, Public Corruption Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NATHAN ROTHSCHILD, a former commissioner of the Monsey Fire District in Rockland County (the “Fire District”), was sentenced today in White Plains federal court by United States District Judge Kenneth M. Karas to 12 months and a day in prison for engaging in a mail fraud scheme that caused the Fire District to enter into a real estate transaction … (0 comments)
ANOTHER CHARGED WITH MORTGAGE FRAUD - 02/09/12 04:32 AM
Southington Man Charged in Superseding Indictment with Mortgage Fraud Offenses Mortgage Fraud, Press Release David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging HENRY J. PAPALE, 60, of Southington, with eight counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering stemming from an alleged mortgage fraud scheme involving four properties in Florida. The superseding indictment alleges that, in 2007, PAPALE persuaded two individuals to use their names and credit information to purchase four homes in Florida, purportedly as legitimate … (0 comments)
DISBARRED ATTORNEY GUILTY OF MORTGAGE FRAUD - 02/08/12 02:13 PM
Guilty Plea Entered By Ex Lawyer in Mortgage Fraud Case James D. Levitt, 66, Rhode Island, a former attorney, pled guilty in federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, to three counts of bank fraud and two counts of filing false tax returns for his role in a million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme. Levitt faces up to 96 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $3.3 million dollars when he is sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on April 19, 2012. As previously reported by Mortgage Fraud Blog, Levitt was charged in May 2011. At the … (2 comments)
HUSBAND & WIFE SQUATTERS CONVICTED & SENTENCED FOR OCCUPYING VACANT FORECLOSURES - 02/08/12 02:04 PM
Husband & Wife Sentenced for Occupying Vacant Foreclosures Chris Wayne Duncan, 43, and Robin Ann Duncan, 37, Newport Beach, California, were convicted and sentenced for conspiring to illegally occupy a home as "squatters" by locating residences that were vacant and in foreclosure. The couple pleaded guilty to a court offer to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit trespass and one misdemeanor count of trespass. The conspiracy count was filed by the Orange County, California, District Attorney's Office as a felony, but the court reduced it to a misdemeanor over the objection of the People. Chris and Robin Duncan were each sentenced to three … (2 comments)
CREDIT SUISSE DIRECTORS CHARGED WITH FRAUDULENTLY INFLATING THE PRICES OF MORTGAGE BACKED SECURITIES - 02/08/12 01:55 PM
Credit Suisse Directors Charged with Inflating Mortgage Backed Securities Kareem Serageldin, David Higgs, and Salmaan Siddiqui, respectively, Managing Director/Global Head of Structured Credit, Managing Director, and Vice-President in the Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse Group (“Credit Suisse”) have been charged with fraudulently inflating the prices of asset-backed bonds which comprised subprime residential mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities in Credit Suisse’s trading book in late 2007 and early 2008. Higgs and Siddiqui each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify books and records and commit wire fraud, for their roles in the scheme. They are cooperating with … (2 comments)
TEXAN CONVICTED OF MORTGAGE FRAUD - 02/08/12 01:47 PM
Jury Convicts Texan of Mortgage Fraud Rodney Lavann Giles, 45, DeSoto, Texas, has been found guilty by a jury in a mortgage fraud scheme that involved homes in the Eastern District of Texas. Giles was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on Jan. 25, 2012, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Richard Schell. According to the indictment, from August 8, 2005, to May 30, 2006, Giles, operating as RLG Properties, conspired to defraud Long Beach Mortgage Company by finding buyers for properties for amounts in excess of the sellers' asking prices. To facilitate the fraud, Giles created false lease agreements, created … (0 comments)
"CASH FOR KEYS" SCAM ARRAIGNMENT CHARGES WOMAN WITH BURGLARY, FORGERY & GRAND THEFT - 02/08/12 01:42 PM
Woman Arraigned in Cash for Keys Scam Quddusa Lynette Anderson, 38, Patton, California, who allegedly to have operated a "cash for keys" scam in Rancho Cucamonga, California, has been charged with Burglary, Forgery and Grand Theft. The Defendant was arraigned February 2, 2012, in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Superior Court. Investigators from the District Attorney's Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit have issued a felony arrest warrant for John Woodrow Smith, 48, Roseville, California, who is suspected of taking part in the scam. Smith also uses the alias Eimbari Kemet. Anderson and Smith are alleged to have conspired to defraud mortgage giants, Freddie Mac and Bank of … (0 comments)
MORTGAGE FRAUD - A FAMILY AFFAIR - 02/08/12 01:00 PM
Mortgage Fraud - A Family Affair Ivania Filgueiras, 40, Miami, Florida; Jose Armando Alvarado, 62, Miami; Maria C. Alvarado, 62, Miami; Reyna Josefina Orts, 57, Miami; Alberto Morejon, 25, Miami; and Carlos Serrano, 56, Hialeah, Florida, in a mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $2 million in fraudulent loans. Five of the six defendants are close family members. On February 2, 2012, a ten-count indictment was unsealed charging six defendants for their alleged participation in a mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $2 million in fraudulent loans. Charged in the indictment are defendants. According to the indictment, from 2005 through 2009, defendants Filgueiras, … (0 comments)
Hi There Boys and Girls - Let's Play "Who's the Liar" ? - 02/08/12 12:04 PM
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”Mark Twain (1835 - 1910) The CEOs of some of the nation’s biggest home-building companies said they feel the housing market has stabilized. Read :Home building CEOs: cautious optimism for 2012 or this one: (click here) And then there's this one: Homeownership Rate Falls The U.S. homeownership rate declined to 66 percent in the last three months of 2011, continuing a seven-year drop from its 2004 fourth-quarter peak of 69.2 percent, reports the Census Bureau. Keenly aware of the risk of home price depreciation, some … (2 comments)
SWINDLER BANNED FOREVER FROM THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY - NETS 75 MONTHS IN PRISON - 02/08/12 11:47 AM
Fraudster Banned Forever from Mortgage Industry Michael Hudalla, Mendota Heights, Minnesota, was sentenced by a Hennepin County District Court Judge to 75 months in prison on two counts of racketeering in a major mortgage fraud case. In addition, he must pay restitution of $396,986 to CitiMortgage and $477,037 to Provident Funding. Hennepin County Judge George McGunnigle also ordered Hudalla to pay a $10,000 fine towards the cost of the investigation and the prosecution. He also is banned from ever working in the mortgage business. Hudalla was the Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Enzo Mortgage Group, St. Paul, Minnesota. Along with his co-defendant … (0 comments)
FORMER BANK PRESIDENT GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT BANK FRAUD - 02/08/12 10:57 AM
Former Bank President Admits Fraud to Obtain TARP Funds Jerry J. Williams, 51, formerly of Naples, Florida, and currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and making false statements to federal regulators. Williams faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, Williams, the former President of Orion Bank, participated in a conspiracy with top Orion Bank executives, Thomas Hebble (former Executive Vice President), Angel Guerzon (former Senior Vice President), and former Orion Bank borrower, Francesco Mileto, to mislead state … (2 comments)
UNCLE & NEPHEW CLIP ARTISTS WILL SPEND TIME IN JAIL FOR REAL ESTATE FRAUD - 02/08/12 10:46 AM
Uncle and Nephew Sentenced for Straw Buyer Scam Lionel Alexander, 50, Dallas, Texas, and his nephew, Blake Alexander, 27, Lafayette, Louisiana, were sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 78 months and 18 months, respectively, for their roles in a mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in an approximate $1.3 million loss for financial lenders. In addition, Judge Fitzwater ordered that Lionel Alexander pay $1,339,305.23 in restitution - $622,879.01 of which is to be paid jointly and severally with Blake Alexander. Both were ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on March 20, 2012. Lionel Alexander pleaded guilty … (2 comments)
ANOTHER FAMILY OF REAL ESTATE SWINDLERS SENT TO JAIL - BROKERS, AGENTS, APPRAISERS & INVESTORS CONSPIRACY - 02/08/12 01:29 AM
Another Family of Mortgage Fraudsters Sent to Prison Charles E. Walker, 58, and his wife, Linda F. Walker, 59, and their son, Lee Edward Walker, 36, all of Monett, Missouri, who were all involved in a Springfield, Missouri, real estate company were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a nearly $11 million mortgage fraud scheme that involved more than two dozen residential properties and earned the family more than $1.3 million in illicit profits. The defendants were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. Charles Walker was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The … (4 comments)
LANDSCAPING COMPANY BOOKEEPER DIGS A 46 MONTH HOLE IN PRISON FOR EMBEZZLING - 02/07/12 04:59 PM
Former Bookkeeper Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison in $1.3 Million Embezzlement Victim Was Small Landscaping Company Press Release, White-Collar Crime WASHINGTON—Christopher F. Cunningham, 44, a former bookkeeper, was sentenced today to 46 months in prison on a federal charge stemming from the embezzlement of $1.3 million from a small landscaping company, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Cunningham, most recently of Spain, pled guilty in November 2011 to interstate transportation of money taken by fraud. He was sentenced to the maximum term under … (0 comments)
CHARIMAN OF MORTGAGE BROKERAGE FIRM SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON - 02/07/12 04:15 PM
Former BCIA Chairman and Principal in New Jersey Mortgage Brokerage Firm Sentenced to Prison in Mortgage Fraud Scheme Mortgage Fraud, Press Release NEWARK, NJ—Ronald J. O’Malley, former chairman and commissioner of the Bergen County Improvement Authority (“BCIA”) and principal in a Ridgewood, N.J., mortgage brokerage firm, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that falsely claimed BCIA employment for numerous mortgage borrowers, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. O’Malley, 48, of Upper Saddle River, N.J., was a founder and co-owner of Diversified Financial Group, d/b/a Residential Mortgage Corporation (“Residential Mortgage”). Former … (0 comments)
FORMER BANK PRESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT BANK FRAUD - 02/06/12 02:56 PM
Former Orion Bank President Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Related Charges Fraud, Press Release, White-Collar Crime FORT MYERS, FL—U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that Jerry J. Williams (51), formerly of Naples, Florida, and currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and making false statements to federal regulators. Williams faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, Williams, the former President of Orion Bank, participated in a conspiracy with top Orion Bank executives … (0 comments)
JURY CONVICTS TEXAS MAN OF MORTGAGE FRAUD - 02/06/12 02:43 PM
Jury Convicts Dallas County Man in Mortgage Fraud Scheme Mortgage Fraud, Press Release PLANO, TX—A 45-year-old DeSoto, Texas man has been found guilty by a jury in a mortgage fraud scheme that involved homes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. Rodney Lavann Giles was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on Jan. 25, 2012, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Richard Schell. According to the indictment, from Aug. 8, 2005, to May 30, 2006, Giles, operating as RLG Properties, conspired to defraud Long Beach Mortgage Company by finding buyers … (0 comments)
FORMER MAYOR PLEADS GUILTY TO BRIBERY OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER - 02/06/12 02:37 PM
Former Rosemead Mayor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Bribery Charges for Taking More Than $10,000 in Payments from Developer Breaking News, Press Release, Public Corruption LOS ANGELES—The former mayor of the City of Rosemead was charged today in federal court with soliciting and accepting bribes from a real estate developer in exchange for city approval of a development project. John Tran, 36, of Rosemead, was named in a criminal information filed this morning. In a plea agreement also filed in United States District Court, Tran has agreed to plead guilty to the felony offense. According to the plea … (0 comments)
MIAMI FAMILY CHARGED WITH MORTGAGE FRAUD - 02/06/12 02:27 PM
Miami Family Charged with Multi-Faceted Mortgage Fraud Scheme Breaking News, Mortgage Fraud, Press Release Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and James K. Loftus, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD); along with members of the Federal-State Mortgage Fraud Strike Force (Mortgage Fraud Strike Force), announce the indictment of six South Florida residents on charges stemming from their participation in a mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $2 million in fraudulent loans. This case is the result of the cooperative … (2 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1512 - 02/06/12 10:57 AM
#1512 When new zoning ordinances become law and become effective nonconfroming uses are only allowed a period of 90 days to become compliant with the new ordinances and will not be allowed to continue after that time. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False Nonconforming uses, or building uses which were in effect before the new ordinances became effective, are usually allowed to continue in the use for which they were designed . The use of the building may not be spread out, it may not be … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1520 - 02/06/12 10:48 AM
#1520 A contract is considered to be a void contract if it can't be enforced because of a statute of limitations. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted bel;ow the royalty free wildlife photo.
A. False If a statute of limitations is involved we have an expired contract. Contracts are considered void if some absolutely necessary component was removed from the contract renedering it unenforceable. The contract will have no legal impact. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1519 - 02/06/12 10:44 AM
#1519 When we talk about REALTORS® we're talking about professionals that are members of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. Is this true or false ? This is a very tough question, so please take your time before you scroll down below the wildlife photo for your solution.
A. False When we talk about members of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers we're referring to Realists. When we talk about REALTORS® we're talking about members of the National Association of REALTORS®.
All wildlife photos are royalty free. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1518 - 02/06/12 10:32 AM
#1518 When we speak of the statute of frauds we're talking about a law which requires that all contracts must contain a provision for habendum clause. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo
A. False The statute of frauds is a statute that requires that contracts must be signed and in writing by the parties to the contract. Habendum clause is a clause placed after a granting clause in a deed which will begin with the words "to have and to hold" and will indicate the type of the estate … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1517 - 02/06/12 10:30 AM
#1517 A contract can be discharged, terminated and cancelled if it is breached by any party to the contract, and any liability for the contract is also terminanted. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False If a contract is breached the contract may not be cancelled or discharged. The breach will violate the duty to carry out a contractual obligation in the contract and is not an excuse to terminate the contract. Failure to perform is not excusable in a breach of contract. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1516 - 02/06/12 10:27 AM
#1516 If a clause is included in a contract that will award five thousand dollars to one party if the other part breaches the contract, and the party receiving the five thousand dollars cannot sue the party that breaches the contract for more than five thousand dollars, this clause is known as a just compensation clause. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The soution is npoosted below the wildlife photo.
A. False This type of clause is known as a liquidated damamges clause . Just compensation is a Constitutional entity that requires the government to fairly … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1515 - 02/06/12 10:24 AM
#1515 Special assessment taxes are transfer taxes imposed at closing and affect the transfer of deed, are mandated by the state, and derive revenue from real property sales. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False A special assessment tax is generally considered to be the same thing as an improvement tax which would be imposed for the purpose of paying for improvements, such as paving a street or road. … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1514 - 02/06/12 10:22 AM
#1514 In order to obtain a nonconforming use permit a property owner has to demonstrate to the zoning commission that denial of the use the property currently supports would create a hardship. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The soultion is posted below the royalty free wildlife photo.
A. False A petition for variance is what the owner is seeking and would allow modifications or improvement to a property which is restricted by a zoning ordinance.
… (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1513 - 02/06/12 10:14 AM
#1513 If the owner of a property believes that their property was unfairly or improperly zoned by their zoning commission the owner should apply for a conditional use permit. Is this true or false ? Take your time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False A conditional use permit is a permit that would permit a special use of a property in a neighborhood where the type of use being applied for would normally be prohibited because of zoning ordinances. If the owner believes the property was not zoned correctly the owner should petition for an amendment … (0 comments)
Real Estate Practice : Lesson 1511 - 02/06/12 10:06 AM
#1511 Land use control laws are created to insure that certain properties remain profitable and make money for the owners. Is this true or false ? Take your time time. The solution is posted below the wildlife photo.
A. False Land use controls may ensure that population density and growth are controlled and that properties remain in a compatible stage with the restrictions. Profitability is not a concern of land use controls. … (0 comments)
WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO VANDALISM AND ARSON OF MOBILE HOME - VIOLATED FAIR HOUSING ACT - 02/03/12 09:15 PM
Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in the Vandalism and Arson of a Mobile Home WASHINGTON—Teresa Witthar, 43, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Kansas City to federal hate crime charges in connection with the vandalism and arson of a bi-racial man’s mobile home in 2006. Witthar was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2011 on one count of conspiracy, one count of violating the Fair Housing Act, one count of using fire to commit a felony, two counts of obstruction of justice, and two counts of making false statements for her role … (2 comments)
HOUSING COUNSLEOR TURNED SWINDLER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR DEFRAUDING 136 CLIENTS - 02/03/12 09:06 PM
Defendant Sentenced for Stealing from 136 Housing Clients BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Lori J. Macakanja, 35, of Dunkirk, New York, who was convicted of mail fraud and theft of government money, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years’ supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara. Judge Arcara also ordered the defendant to pay $298,639.00 in restitution to the victims. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, who handled the case, stated that Macakanja, in her capacity as a housing counselor employed by HomeFront, Inc., inappropriately requested money from clients. … (0 comments)
PASTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD - 02/03/12 08:58 PM
Jonesboro Man Sentenced on Bank Fraud and Failure to Pay Payroll Tax Charges LITTLE ROCK—Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas announced today that Scott Keith Voss, 43, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller to serve 33 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Miller also ordered Voss to pay restitution of $450,000 to the First Bank of Owasso and $148,564.94 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Voss, who served as pastor and president of First Pentecostal Church of Jonesboro, pled guilty to one count … (0 comments)
FORMER ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY IN ROLE IN MILLION DOLLAR MORTGAGE FRAUD SCHEME - 02/03/12 07:24 PM
Former Rhode Island Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Tax Evasion Charges PROVIDENCE, RI—Former R.I. attorney James D. Levitt, 66, pled guilty in federal court in Providence today to three counts of bank fraud and two counts of filing false tax returns for his role in a million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme. Levitt faces up to 96 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $3.3 million dollars when he is sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on April 19, 2012. Levitt’s guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Cortez Richardson, Special … (0 comments)
SCHOOLS ACCOUNTANT AND TEACHER CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING AND SHORT SALE FRAUD - 02/03/12 07:17 PM
Former Detroit Public Schools Accountant, Teacher Indicted on Fraud and Money Laundering Charges Sandra Campbell, a former Detroit Public Schools contract accountant and school board candidate, and her daughter, Domonique Campbell, a Detroit Public Schools teacher, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges of program fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and tax charges, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge, Erick Martinez, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. The nine-count indictment charges that between … (0 comments)
The Death Of Sarah Walker : Never Forget Her - 02/03/12 09:48 AM
Sarah Walker was beautiful. She was the mother of two children. She sold homes for a living. Everyone loved her. She was at work in her office in a model home in a beautiful new subdivision in McKinney, Texas at 5700 Conch Train. A couple visiting the model home came by at 1:23 p.m. on July 8, 2006, and found Sarah. She was dead, on the floor of the kitchen in the model home, stabbed more than 33 times. She was killed by a piece of trash, garbage, a scumbag, a worthless slimeball, a reprehensible piece of cheap crap, a filthy pig, someone … (33 comments)
REAL ESTATE AGENT NETS 27 MONTH PRISON SENTENCE FOR EQUITY SKIMMINING - 02/01/12 01:55 PM
Real Estate Agent Sentenced for Equity Skimming Robinson Dinh Nguyen, 31, Fresno, California, was sentenced by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill to 27 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $433,000 in restitution for conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud in connection with his employment as a real estate agent for Crisp & Cole Associates. In pleading guilty on October 7, 2011, Nguyen admitted that between January 2004 and September 2007, he and his co-conspirators defrauded mortgage lenders and banks by submitting false and fraudulent statements in mortgage … (0 comments)
CLOSING ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY TO REAL ESTATE FRAUD - 02/01/12 12:23 PM
Closing Attorney Admits Role in Mortgage Conspiracy Kimberly S. Daise, Miami, Florida, an attorney, pled guilty on January 11, 2012, in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme relating to a property in the Versailles development in Wellington, Florida. As previously reported by Mortgage Fraud Blog, Daise submitted false documentation to mortgage lenders substantially inflating the purchase price of the properties. As part of the conspiracy, two sets of HUD-1 Settlement Statements were prepared. One form, listing the real price, was provided to the seller. Another form, with the inflated price, was provided to the lender. The difference between the real price and the inflated price was … (0 comments)
FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAM INDICTMENT RETURNED - 02/01/12 12:17 PM
Indictment Handed Down For Foreclosure Rescue Scam Richard Scott Spady, 38, and Michele Denise Sengstock, 48, both of Bloomington, Minnesota, have been indicted in U.S. District Court for allegedly defrauding financial institutions and homeowners under the guise of a program to rescue homes from foreclosure. The defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of money laundering. Both defendants made their initial appearances in federal court. The indictment alleges that the scheme occurred between 2005 and October of 2007. Allegedly, Spady identified homeowners facing mortgage … (2 comments)
REAL ESTATE SWINDLER GETS FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SELLING HOMES HE DIDN'T OWN - 02/01/12 11:48 AM
Fraudster Gets 5 Years for Selling 3 Homes He Didn't Own Darryl Cobb, 54, Birmingham, Alabama, has been sentenced to five years in prison for a mortgage fraud scheme in which he sold three houses that he did not own. U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn sentenced Cobb on two counts of mail fraud in connection to the scheme. Cobb pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2011. The judge also ordered Cobb to pay restitution of $262,861 and to forfeit $262,861 to the government as proceeds of his illegal activity. According to Cobb's plea agreement with the government, his scheme was … (2 comments)
REAL ESTATE INVESTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO BID RIGGING - 02/01/12 11:44 AM
Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty To Bid Rigging Kenneth A. Swanger, 41, Woodland, California, a real estate investor, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California, to conspiring to rig bids and commit mail fraud at public real estate foreclosure auctions held in San Joaquin County, California. Swanger pleaded guilty to conspiring with a group of real estate speculators who agreed not to bid against each other at certain public real estate foreclosure auctions in San Joaquin County, California. The primary purpose of the conspiracy was to suppress and restrain competition and to obtain selected real estate offered at San Joaquin County public foreclosure … (2 comments)
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT SWINDLER COPS A GUILTY PLEA - 02/01/12 11:40 AM
Real Estate Investment Scammer Pleads Guilty Christopher Plummer, 50, Lyme, Connecticut, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud stemming from investment fraud schemes that defrauded individuals out of approximately $1.9 million. According to court documents and statements made in court, Plummer, holding himself out as an "Authorized Member" of New England Resorts LLC, falsely represented to investors and potential investors that he—or a company he and a co-conspirator owned and/or controlled—owned hundreds of acres of land in Lakeshore, Mississippi, a portion of which purportedly was zoned for … (0 comments)
FOUR MORE REAL ESTATE SWINDLERS NET HEFTY JAIL SENTENCES - 02/01/12 11:34 AM
4 Mortgage Fraudsters Sentenced Aaron Hand, Oyster Bay Cove, New York, Kenneth Law, Pelham, New York, Eric Shields, Media, Pennsylvania, and Jerry Strklja, Queens, New York, were sentenced for perpetrating a massive mortgage fraud scheme conducted through a corrupt loan origination company called AFG Financial Group, Inc. As previously reported by Mortgage Fraud Blog, the defendants were charged via indictment for operating a $100 million mortgage scam and were found guilty by a jury in 2011 of multiple felonies, including Enterprise Corruption, Scheme to Defraud, Conspiracy, and dozens of Grand Larcenies. Hand was sentenced to 8 – 25 years in state prison; Law was sentenced to 5 to … (4 comments)
VIRGINIA FORECLOSURE RESCUE SWINDLER SENT TO PRISON FOR 54 MONTHS - 02/01/12 11:27 AM
Foreclosure Rescuer Sent to Prison for Mortgage Fraud Kathleen Harps, 51, Chesapeake, Virginia, was sentenced in Norfolk, Virginia, federal court to 54 months in prison for operating a foreclosure rescue mortgage fraud scheme. Chief United States District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith imposed the sentence. Harps previously pled guilty on August 23, 2011. According to court documents, during 2006 Harps owned and operated the now defunct Hampton Roads businesses, New Beginnings Group, LLC, and IMAK Group, LLC, which specialized in "foreclosure rescue." Through these businesses, Harps and others solicited homeowners in financial distress and facing foreclosure, to agree to sell their homes to Harps or straw … (2 comments)
REAL ESTATE BROKER CHARGED WITH SWINDLING LENDERS OUT OF $3.3 MILLION - 02/01/12 11:23 AM
Real Estate Agent Bilks Lenders out of $3.3 Steven Carver, Carver and Associates Real Estate, Minnetonka, Minnesota, orchestrated an elaborate mortgage kickback scheme that cost lenders $3.3 million and put more than 18 homes into foreclosure or short sale. Allegations against Steven Carver are the latest in a string of enforcement actions taken in response to a growing trend of mortgage fraud. Mortgage fraud accounts for roughly $10 billion in annual losses. Common mortgage frauds include: inflated appraisals, stolen identities, false loan applications, fraudulent supporting loan documentation, and kickbacks similar to those allegedly used by Carver. According to allegations in the … (2 comments)
YET ANOTHER MORTGAGE BROKER GOES TO JAIL - 02/01/12 11:11 AM
Broker Goes to Jail for Scheme Involving Straw Buyers <!-- Date created --> Marlon Baugh, 32, Pembroke Pines, Florida, was sentenced on Friday, January 27, 2012, by U.S. District Judge James Cohn to one year and one day in prison for mail fraud in connection with his participation in a mortgage fraud scheme. The defendant previously had pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. According to information presented in court, defendant Baugh was a mortgage broker licensed by the State of Florida's Office of Financial Regulation. Baugh was a partner … (0 comments)
GUILTY PLEA IN $8.5 MILLION REAL ESTATE FRAUD - 02/01/12 10:57 AM
California Man Pleads Guilty to $8.5 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme KANSAS CITY, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a California man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a mortgage fraud scheme that defrauded a failed Sugar Creek, Mo., bank of more than $8.5 million. William Troy Goings, 36, of Sacramento, Calif., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. By pleading guilty today, Goings admitted that he defrauded American Sterling Bank in Sugar Creek in a scheme that lasted … (0 comments)
CONSTRUCTION OFFICIAL ARRESTED - 02/01/12 10:50 AM
East Orange Construction Official Charged with Taking Bribe Press Release, Public Corruption NEWARK, NJ—A longtime construction official in the property maintenance department of the city of East Orange, N.J., was arrested this morning in East Orange by special agents of the FBI for allegedly taking a bribe from an East Orange property owner in exchange for his assistance in city government matters, U.S. Attorney Fishman announced. Kim Davis, 45, of New York and formerly of Newark, is charged by indictment with one count of conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right; one count of extortion under color of … (0 comments)
CONTRACTOR AWARDED 37 MONTHS IN PRISON - 02/01/12 10:44 AM
Norfolk Contractor Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Kickback Scheme and Failure to File Tax Return Fraud, Press Release WASHINGTON—A Virginia contractor was sentenced today to serve 37 months in prison for participating in a scheme to steer contracts to him for repair, maintenance, and renovation work at health care and nursing home facilities owned by Medical Facilities of America Inc. (MFA), the Department of Justice announced. Edward T. Fodrey, a resident of Norfolk, Va., was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Norfolk by Judge Mark S. Davis and was ordered to pay $326,799 in restitution. Fodrey pleaded … (2 comments)
CONTRACTOR PLEADS GUILTY IN $4.2 MILLION FRAUD SCHEME - 02/01/12 10:36 AM
Rhode Island Steelworks Contractor Pleads Guilty in $4.2 Million Fraud Scheme Breaking News, Fraud, Press Release, White-Collar Crime PROVIDENCE, RI—Mario Perretta, 36, of Cranston, R.I., owner of M&M Ironworks in Providence, pled guilty in federal court in Providence today to eight counts of wire fraud and two counts of tax evasion in a fraud scheme that bilked investors in his company out of approximately $4.2 million. Perretta admitted to the court that he promised inventors high rates of return on investments into projects that did not exist. Instead, Perretta admitted, he spent the majority of money for gambling purposes, … (0 comments)
Blog Blast From the Past : ActiveRain's Point System - 02/01/12 02:31 AM
I wrote this a couple of years ago. It went viral. Here's the original link: ActiveRain's Point System : It's Important Thought you'd like to see it again. =============================================================================
A REALTOR® posted a blog suggesting that Active Rain points were useless, misleading and ego driven. Not true ! The point scoring system is very crucial, has great significance and clearly identifies the mutual and reciprocal action of our members and their interaction. The point system also clearly demonstrates the act of sharing in the activities of a group, more specifically any Active Rain group. As a condition of sharing … (4 comments)
MORTGAGE BROKER JAILED FOR A YEAR FOR FRAUD - 02/01/12 02:18 AM
Mortgage Broker Sentenced in Fraud Scheme Mortgage Fraud, Press Release Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Tom Grady, Commissioner, State of Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation, announced the sentencing of defendant Marlon Baugh, 32, of Pembroke Pines, Florida. On Friday, January 27, 2012, U.S. District Judge James Cohn sentenced Baugh to one year and one day in prison for mail fraud in connection with his participation in a mortgage fraud scheme. The defendant previously had pled guilty … (0 comments)
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Maryland Woman Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Her Role in Extensive Mortgage Fraud Scheme Defendant Submitted Fraudulent Information to Obtain Loans Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Press Release WASHINGTON—Rasheeda M. Canty, a former mortgage broker, has been sentenced to a one-year prison term for her role in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme involving properties in the District of Columbia and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Daniel S. Cortez, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Washington Division.
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