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Mortgage Fraud Blog is the premier website for news and information on mortgage fraud and real estate fraud throughout the United States.
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 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.
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Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Atwater Man Charged in Real Estate Fraud Scheme
Keith Joseph Ducey, 33, Atwater, California, surrendered himself to the Merced Superior Court on $20,000 warrant issued for his arrest. According to District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Investigator Jesse Valdez, a Superior Court Judge issued the warrant on charges of Grand Theft. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation related to alleged criminal activities of Valentina Ortiz, a former escrow officer employed by Alliance Title. Ducey, a former Pacific Bancorp loan officer, is alleged to have received unauthorized payments totaling $4000.00 from an escrow account handled by Ortiz, said Valdez. The unauthorized payments to Ducey came to light following an internal audit of Alliance Title escrow funds disbursed by Ortiz. Valdez noted that Alliance Title began its investigation following its termination of Ortiz. District Attorney Investigators arrested Ortiz on March 8. She is facing multiple felony embezzlement charges. “This is an ongoing investigation, as evidenced by this second arrest,” said Investigator Valdez. “Real estate fraud and conspiracy to commit it make investigation time consuming and difficult. As this investigation continues, it is possible that more arrests will be made,” added Valdez.
 mortgage fraud
I’m innocent. When the facts are presented, I will be fully exonerated.
If the checks I received were erroneous I would imagine the title company would contact me directly and let me know. But these checks were disbursed over 2 years ago and now I’m being accused of stealing them. Ridiculous. I was part of no scheme, just an honest guy trying to make an honest living.
Yes I surrendered myself and then the warrant was recalled and I was released on my own recognizance. They only tell you want they want to tell you.
Posted by on 06/07 at 12:22 PM So you were paid commission out of a fraudulently used account over a period of 2 years.
This account being discovered after the individual was terminated… and an arrest warrant was issued for you and “more to come” ...?
Now that’s pretty heavy…
SO if that’s the case, is every LO/Bank officer/broker/etc going to have arrest warrants issued when someone else misuses their authority at a title co?
The mere mention of mortgage fraud or “there was an arrest warrant issued for..” in some towns can be the absolute death of an impeccable career…
It is imperative that local, state and federal authorities work in conjuntion with each other before passing judgment on the innocent and honest persons that are left to clean up the mess of these fools anyway…
Posted by on 06/07 at 07:25 PM “Real estate fraud and conspiracy to commit it make investigation time consuming and difficult.”
Yeah this is because they really can’t be sure who to point the finger at.
Columbo: The charges stem from a loan I originated back in 2005. I received two checks for $2000 each ($4000 total) from the escrow company in regard to this loan. After they terminated the escrow agent , near the end of 2005, they found inconsistencies in many of the escrow agent’s files, apparently also in this particular loan I received the checks on. The borrower said the checks were unauthorized and they came after me. I hadn’t heard anything about this particular loan until about a month ago. As I said, I’m fully innocent, the title company is expected to do a better job of overlooking it’s files and employees rather than allow false accusations like mine to occur.
and you’re absolutely right, this crap running in the local newspaper is like a death sentence regardless if I’m exonerated or not. People are already judging me and I doubt I’ll be able to originate many if any loans again.
Posted by on 06/08 at 01:08 AM k.ducey-and for that I’m sorry you’re being judged and your business affected. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride. The industry is looking for small-time martyrs at this point to avoid and delay the prosecution of the REAL criminals-the gov’t.
You see, since your business and that of hundreds if not thousands like you as well has tanked due to fallout and frivolous prosecutions, FHA recently has reported a massive increase in their loan applications and are considering 100% loans…
Isn’t this what got us where we’re at NOW?
Posted by on 06/09 at 04:10 AM columbo: I hear you!
I appreciate the kind words as well.
I have nothing to worry about. I have plenty of support & a great attorney.
It sucks that it’s gonna cost me in order to pull me out of something that I should have never been pulled into.
Posted by on 06/13 at 12:22 PM
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Some Sources require Registration.
Mortgage Scam Ends with Prison
The Morning Call
A judge didn't hold back when Shirley Matthews appeared before him Tuesday to be sentenced for stealing from a Monroe County man instead of helping him save his home from foreclosure, as she was hired to do.
Woman Gets Prison Time After Mortgage Scam Conviction
Pocono Record
A New Jersey woman will be spending two to five years in state prison after she was sentenced on Tuesday for promising to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and then keeping the money she was given for their mortgages.
2 Indicted in Mortgage Scam Face New Charges
Newsday.Com
Prosecutors add extra charges to two who are charged in LI mortgage fraud with county legislator, dominatrix and her husband
Untangling Mortgage Fraud in Chicago Condo Buildings
Chicago Public Radio
Why did so many units go into foreclosure all at once? In some cases, the reason can be traced to mortgage fraud.
No Contest Plea Entered in Real Estate Fraud Case
Northbay Business Journal
Juan Carlos Alcala of Windsor pleaded no contest to nineteen felony counts and admitted three special allegations for defrauding real estate investors, money laundering and elder fraud.
Bedford Woman Sentenced to a Year in Prison for Mortgage Fraud
Plain Dealer
Sharon Cox, 49, of Bedford, was sentenced today to a year in prison for mortgage fraud involving money laundering, theft and receiving stolen property from August 2008 through March.
CITIZEN JOURNALISM: Mortgage Fraud High in Area
Washington Times
According to the FBI, Virginia, Maryland and the District are among the top 10 jurisdictions experiencing mortgage fraud.
Former Vegas Resident Charged with Mortgage Fraud in Nevada
National Mortgage Professional Magazine
A former Las Vegas resident has been charged with federal conspiracy and fraud charges for his involvement in a Nevada mortgage fraud scheme involving straw buyers and falsified mortgage loan documents...
Missouri Man Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud
Belleville News Democrat
A suburban St. Louis mortgage company operator has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for a mortgage fraud scheme.
12-Year Prison Term in Mortgage Swindle
Washington Post
A Maryland woman who stole millions from Washington area homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure is a "vulture" whose case should serve as a warning to other con artists...
Previous Articles
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Trial coverage provided by Anne Mitchell, Crazy Fish Realty.
F. Jeffrey Miller Update - October 20, 2009
A hearing was held in Topeka, Kansas in front of Judge Julie Robinson. Miller is currently being held pending his sentencing which is set for December 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.. Steve Vanatta and Hallie Irvin, Miller's codefendants, will be sentenced at that time also.
Several motions were heard this week. One was a motion for Miller to be released pending his sentencing. Miller's attorney, Jeff Morris, argued that the court had dismmissed with predjudice the matter involving Miller's purchase of a commercial lawnmower, violating the court ordered monitoring agreement. He also argued that Miller was not a flight risk and should be released. This motion was denied.
Another motion heard by Judge Robinson was that of an escrow account containing proceeds from the sale of Miller's forfeited assets. This account has a balance of $143,000. Attorney Morris argued that his firm was due $100,000 for work done in the Miller matter, to date. The government argued that his 'un-itemized fees' were 'exhorbitant'. The balance of the funds, Morris argued, should be released to the Miller family to help pay for mounting household expenses.
The government argued that the 'Asset Forfeiture Provision' applies down to 'the last penny' and that 'the rights of the victims to made whole are of paramount immportance' and that no routine household expenses like Visa bills, are allowed.
Attorney Morris argues that there is more than enough assets to satisfy the jury's judgement of $2.65 million dollars. The government argues that the estimated value of his assets are only $1.4 million.
The government also stated that Miller has been paid dividends from a company Miller has an ownership interest in; Boreflex. From July, 2008 to present, Miller has been paid $330,509.30 from Boreflex, unbeknownst to the court appointed monitor.
Present in the courtroom was Todd Earnshaw. Earnshaw was indicted along with Miller and others in what is commonly referred to as 'Miller I'. That trial is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2010 in Topeka, Kansas.
More Trial Coverage
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