Mortgage Fraud Blog is the premier website for news and information on mortgage fraud and real estate fraud throughout the United States.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of Smith Dollar, PC, is licensed to practice law in California and maintains offices in Santa Rosa, California. Email Ms. Dollar
Mortgage Fraud Blog is co-sponsored by Interthinx the leading provider of fraud services and solutions for the mortgage industry.
Eleven people were indicted in a mortgage scheme involving 21 homes in the Boston, Massachusetts area:
Eric L. Levine, 55, Brookline, Massachusetts, a suspended attorney, was charged withe one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment), forty one Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and nineteen Counts of Money Laundering (Maximum penalty for each count: 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
J. Daniel Lindley, 59, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, a practicing attorney, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment), forty one Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and nineteen Counts of Money Laundering (Maximum penalty for each count: 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Ernst Appolon, 28, Braintree, Massachusetts, a real estate and mortgage broker, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment), thirty four Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and one Count of Money Laundering (Maximum penalty for each count: 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Andre Junior Lamerique, 25, formerly of Sharon, Massachusetts, a mortgage broker, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and thirty three Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Widner Lamarre, 34, Brockton, Massachusetts, a mortgage broker, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and eighteen Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Ralph Appolon, 27, Watertown, Massachusetts, a mortgage broker, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and four Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Daniel Appolon, 21, a Massachusetts mortgage company employee was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and six Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Jermaine Blake, 21, Mattapan, Massachusetts, a mortgage broker, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and thirteen Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Jean Noriscat, 33, Quincy, Massachusetts, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment), ten Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment), and five Counts of Aggravated Identity Theft (Carries a mandatory sentence of 2 years imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed)
Samuel Jean-Louis, 23, Miami, Florida, a mortgage broker, was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and nine Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment)
Latoya Haltiwanger, 26, Los Angeles, California, a mortgage broker was charged with one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty: 5 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, 3 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment) and seven Counts of Wire Fraud (Maximum penalty for each count: 20 years imprisonment, $1 million fine, 5 years supervised release, and $100 special assessment).
The Indictment also contains allegations for the forfeiture of illegal proceeds and property related to the fraudulent scheme. All defendants except for Daniel Appolon and Samuel Jean-Louis were arrested by federal agents beginning at 6:00 am on Monday, May 20, 2008.
The Indictment alleges that from May of 2005 through June of 2006, the defendants fraudulently obtained more than $10.6 million from real estate mortgage lenders, using straw borrowers and stolen identifications. The Indictment further alleges that the defendants used fraudulent loan applications which grossly inflated the purchase prices of properties, misrepresented the identification of the borrowers and their income or employment, as well as other information. According to the Indictment, the scheme defrauded 10 mortgage lenders in connection with 21 properties in the Boston, Massachusetts area. The mortgages on all of the properties have gone into default and many of the properties have been foreclosed.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said, “Today’s Indictment charges professionals in the mortgage industry, including attorneys and mortgage brokers, who are alleged to have conducted a large-scale fraudulent scheme. It is schemes like the one charged today that have contributed to the current credit crisis in the real estate market.” Sullivan concluded, “The victims of these types of crimes are not only the lenders who have lost millions of dollars, but the homeowners and neighborhoods whose property values were fraudulently inflated, resulting in homes being abandoned by borrowers who never intended to occupy the residences. Mortgage fraud schemes of this nature make it more difficult for honest home owners to purchase or finance their homes. This investigation and today’s arrests today are the result of an excellent cooperative effort among federal and state law enforcement agencies.”
Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division stated, “Mortgage fraud is an escalating problem in the United States with no segment of the real estate market protected. Combating mortgage fraud is a priority for the FBI because mortgage lending and the housing market have a significant overall effect on the nation’s economy. The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat this growing epidemic.”
Tyrone G. Barney, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation stated that, “These types of crimes create a significant loss of tax revenue, drive buyers into foreclosure, leave lenders burdened with bad loans and neighborhoods with abandoned and deteriorating properties. IRS-CI is committed to pursuing these important investigations with our law enforcement partners.”
Randy S. Miskanic, Inspector in Charge, US Postal Inspection Service said, “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting American consumers from misuse of the mails. Combating these frauds is a significant priority for our agency. The unscrupulous acts of these individuals have a devastating impact on consumers, lenders and the nation’s economy. We are pleased to join our law enforcement partners in pursuit of those individuals or groups who commit mortgage fraud.”
“If the individuals accused of this crime knowingly preyed on our neighborhoods they should be punished to the full extent of the law. The impacts of these treacherous acts are going to be with us for a long time. Many of these buildings are now abandoned and vacant and the citizens of Boston are stuck cleaning up this mess. In Boston, we have worked too hard to make our neighborhoods thriving places to live. I appreciate the hard work done in this investigation by the Boston Police and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigations and everyone else involved. I hope there are more indictments on the way,” Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said, “This scheme came to light during the course of a homicide investigation. In a very real way, this activity leads to the deterioration of our neighborhoods. Public safety is adversely affected and illegal activity will take hold. I would like to commend the remarkable work done by all of our law enforcement partners. The impressive and comprehensive way investigators uncovered this illegal activity should be applauded.”
Eric Levine is getting what he deserves and may be he should be punished more for his harassment he had done to me and my family in past. He had used the justice system against me by his malpractice. I am very happy for whatever has happened to him.
Posted by on 10/16 at 10:46 PM
Keep the good works comming.
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Failed Mortgage Firm Trustee Allowed $50,000 in Fees Union Leader
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge J. Michael Deasy will approve $50,000 in legal fees for the trustee of failed mortgage brokerage businesses Financial Resources Mortgage Inc. and CL&M Inc.
Bend Oregon Event to Help Homeowners Prevent Foreclosures Oregon.Gov
As part of an ongoing effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, state agencies are organizing a foreclosure-prevention event in Bend on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Shelbyville Man Gets 2-Year Sentence For Loan Fraud Chattanoogan.Com
Prosecutor Gary Humble said the lost was approximately $2.3 million in the mortgage fraud involving hundreds of homes in the Shelbyville area.
Lend America, VP Ashley Banned from FHA Housing Wire
Michael Ashley, the embattled former vice president of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed mortgage originator Lend America, and the company he worked for, were permanently banned from doing business in the industry last week.
Countrywide Tries to Pin Blame on Insurer Court House News
Countrywide Home Loans demands $111 million from Triad Guaranty Insurance, claiming Triad is trying to blame mortgage lenders for the insurer's role in the housing bubble and collapse.
Investors Say They Were Swindled in Property Scheme Fox 13 Now
Utah Division of Consumer Protection is joining forces with a few investors who claim they have been cheated by an agency called "Utah Mini Ranches.
Greenfield Man Accused of Housing Scam The Republic
A former real estate agent conned at least eight people by renting them properties actually owned by a federal agency and then running off with their deposits, prosecutors said.
Appraisal Institute Opposes Obama Administration's Plan for Homeowner 'Short Sales' PR News Wire
Citing concerns about increased mortgage fraud, four organizations representing more than 35,000 real estate appraisers today voiced their opposition to changes to an Obama administration program that will encourage "short sales" of homes.
Ownership Rights to Get Another Look TBO.Com
State lawmakers may beef up protections of property owners' rights by rewriting a law this spring that is at the center of a case of alleged fraud in Pasco County.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Continued Testimony
As reported by Anne Mitchell, who viewed the trial:
Angela Parenza worked for Jeff Miller as the office manager for 7 or 8 years beginning in 1998. Parenza was indicted along with Miller and pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering. Parenza testified that Miller or his contractors allegedly preferred to build all the...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Coverage Continued - Witness Testimony
Steve Middleton Testimony - Coverage Provided by Anne Mitchell
The Government continued in its cross examination of Steve Middleton. He was shown several HUD-1 statements involving sales of homes located in Overland Park, KS, and Olathe, KS. The HUD statements each allegedly showed line items of payments to (James) Moser & Associates, LLC's...
Monday, February 01, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Coverage - Continued Witness Examination
According to Anne Mitchell, who is present in court for the trial:
Next Witness: Kelly Sanford
Kelly Sanford of the Federal Reserve was a short witness for the Government. Sanford manages electronic payments between banks and member financial institutions. He was shown copies of wire transfers and asked whether they coincided with the counts in...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial - Prosecution Witnesses Continued
According to Anne Mitchell, who is viewing the trial:
January 13, 2010
Witness: Rick Hayes
Rick Hayes testified that on the day that he closed on his Miller Enterprise home, he received a phone call from the Kansas Banking Commission informing him that his loan was fraudulent. After the Hayes responded to a classified ad, they met with John...
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The information and notices contained on Mortgage Fraud Blog are intended to summarize recent developments in mortgage fraud cases and mortgage banking matters nationwide. The posts on this site are presented as general research and information and are expressly not intended, and should not be regarded, as legal advice. Much of the information on this site concerns allegations made in civil lawsuits and in criminal indictments. All persons are presumed innocent until convicted of a crime. Readers who have particular questions about mortgage banking, mortgage fraud matters or who believe they require legal counsel should seek the advice of an attorney. The creators, editors and sponsors of Mortgage Fraud Blog do not intend to create a confidential relationship or an attorney-client relationship by communication via or arising from this site.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of 
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