Friday, November 21, 2008
8 Indicted For Bank Fraud And Money Laundering
A fifteen count federal grand jury mortgage fraud indictment in Cleveland, Ohio, was returned against:
Anthony L. Jerdine, 37, Pepper Pike, Ohio,
Joseph Jones, 52, Richfield, Ohio who owns and/or controls Alpha Prosperity Project, Inc., Alpha Holdings Group, Inc., Academy Construction and Intelli, LLC
Terry Smith, 34, Cleveland, Ohio
Roberto Baez, 51, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
William J. Werner, d.b.a. The Werner Group, 39, Brecksville, Ohio
Marilyn Mannarino, 64, Macedonia, Ohio
Diana Coomer, 44, West Chester, Ohio
Ephrian Chestnut, 43, Fontana, California
Alpha Prosperity Project, Inc.
Alpha Holdings Group, Inc.
Academy Construction; and
Intelli, LLC.
The indictment charges one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering and one count of bank fraud against all defendants. The indictment also charges seven counts of money laundering against Anthony L. Jerdine, five counts of money laundering against Roberto Baez and nine counts of money laundering against Joseph Jones, as well as one count of money laundering against Alpha Holdings Group, Inc. and one count of money laundering against Academy Construction, two counts of money laundering against Alpha Prosperity Project, Inc. and two counts of money laundering against Intelli, LLC.
The indictment alleges that during the period from about August 2007 through December 2007, Anthony L. Jerdine, Joseph Jones, Terry Smith, Roberto Baez, William J. Werner, Marilyn Mannarino, Diana Coomer and Ephrian Chestnut conspired about the purchase of 7261 Hillbrook Lane, South Russell, Ohio. The indictment further alleges that as part of their conspiracy, Anthony L. Jerdine purchased this property on August 31, 2007 through a land trust agreement for $710,000, and then “resold” the property the same day for $2,000,000 to defendant Terry Smith, based on a fraudulent appraisal report provided by defendant William J. Werner. The indictment further alleges that defendant Terry Smith, through defendant Diana Coomer, completed and submitted a false and fraudulent loan application which falsified his employment, overstated his income, overstated his monthly rent, overstated his assets, falsified his intent to occupy the property and concealed the source of the down-payment funds in order to obtain the financing to purchase the property located at 7261 Hillbrook Lane, South Russell, Ohio. The indictment alleges that defendant Marilyn Mannarino, a licensed title agent through the State of Ohio, served as the title agent on the property through Professional Settlement Services and conspired with the defendants to allow the mortgage loan to be funded before collecting defendant Terry Smith’s down payment money at closing, before collecting the $710,000 payment from defendant Anthony L. Jerdine for the initial purchase of the property and failed to properly distribute the mortgage proceeds from closing. The indictment further alleges that defendant Ephrian Chestnut, as CEO and President of Tax Consultants, completed a fraudulent Verification of Employment (“VOE”) on behalf of defendant Terry Smith, stating that Smith had been a client for six years and was self-employed as the owner of BSM Financial, Inc. The indictment alleges that the defendants did all of this in order to deceive and defraud Washington Mutual Bank into funding the $2,000,000 purchase price with a mortgage loan of over $1.5 million.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, each defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark S. Bennett, following an investigation by agents of the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
mortgage fraud
The Mannarino family has been doing this for decades both in Ohio Florida. Someone should check out her two sons and their activities in this area. Check out the houses they own in the Naples, FL area. A lot of property for someone who, according to tax documents, makes less than $100K a year.
Posted by on 02/18 at 07:41 AM
In a country where you are innocent until proven guilty, it seems that I am not given that same chance. I did not do what the FBI things I did. I have been in this business almost 36 years and done nothing but fight for “good title practices”. I will not defend myself except to say, I will be found innocent,
Posted by on 06/16 at 09:16 AM
Her son Joseph is a convicted felon (assault) as are several of the crew with whom he associates.
Posted by on 10/28 at 04:45 PM
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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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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 
