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
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Kristian D. Nelson, 35, Bigelow, Arkansas, pled guilty to interstate wire fraud and being a felon in possession of firearms. His plea was accepted today by United States District Judge Susan Webber Wright.
Nelson entered a plea of guilty to ten counts of interstate wire fraud. Each count of wire fraud is punishable by not more than 30 years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $1,000,000. He also pled guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms, which carries a statutory sentence of not more than 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The remaining counts of the Indictment were dismissed by motion of the United States. Nelson will be sentenced at a later date to be determined by the court.
Starting in late 2004 and continuing through late 2006, Nelson fraudulently represented himself in Arkansas and elsewhere as someone who was making millions in real estate development in central Arkansas. Nelson would convince potential investors that he would assist them in making large profits, either through the purchase of lots and the construction of new houses in a subdivision he was developing, or through the buying, renovating, and selling of older existing housing in Little Rock. Nelson misrepresented to the investors that they were actually purchasing houses or purchasing lots and that he would construct houses, and further misrepresented that he actually was developing a subdivision. As most all the investors were out of state, Nelson would routinely have them wire money to his bank accounts in Arkansas. In managing the scheme, Nelson, on occasion, would promise to return the funds, would provide worthless quitclaim deeds, or would actually return small amounts of money to some of the more disillusioned investors. Nelson obtained more than $1 million from these “investors.” Nelson was indicted in April, 2007, scheduled for trial, and released on bond. While awaiting trial, the Perry County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and reported they had become aware that Nelson, who had been previously convicted of felony hot-check and false police report charges, was in possession of several firearms at his home in Bigelow, Arkansas while on bond for the federal fraud charges. A federal search warrant was obtained and executed to locate and recover the firearms and Nelson was arrested. Nelson was subsequently indicted a second time in May, 2008, for being a felon in possession of firearms.
This matter was investigated by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in cooperation with the Perry County Sheriff’s Department.
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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