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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
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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.
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.
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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