Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Real Estate Agent Sentenced for Bank Fraud
John Turner Jr., 52, a licensed real estate agent, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for bank fraud and engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property stemming from a mortgage fraud investigation. Turner was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $2,000 and serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
According to the plea agreement and statements by the prosecutor in court, Turner arranged for a straw borrower to purchase the residence located on the 1600 block of Cherry Ridge Drive in Houston, Texas. Turner amended the purchase contract, instructing the title company to disburse $62,000 of the loan proceeds to a remodeling company of the buyer’s choice, ostensibly for repairs and upgrades to be made at the residence.
First National Bank of Arizona funded the $213,377 mortgage loan Nov. 17, 2006. At closing, Turner submitted a $62,000 false invoice in the name of First Class Construction Inc., for repairs and remodeling. The title company and First National Bank of Arizona were unaware that First Class Construction, Inc., was owned by Turner nor that the repairs and remodeling had not been done and would never be done.
Turner took the check to the Money Stop, a check cashing business located on Bissonnet in Houston where he cashed the check, receiving fifty-one $1,000 money orders, a money order in the amount of $365 and $9,992 in cash.
The mortgage fraud investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Buchanan
mortgage fraud
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Mortgage Fraud Risk Index Jumps 11 Percent, According to Verisk Analytics Subsidiary Interthinx
CNNMoney.com
The report...indicates that the overall Interthinx Mortgage Fraud Risk Index surged more than 11 percent from the previous quarter...
Mortgage Fraud Case Appears Headed to Jury in Jackson County Circuit Court
The Jackson Citizen Patriot - MLive.com
The prosecution and defense rested Thursday in the mortgage fraud cases against Teresa Marie WIlson and Angelo Surveo Williams.
Wyoming Woman Charged with Mortgage Fraud After Allegedly Stealing Sister's Identity
MLive.com
A Wyoming woman is facing felony charges accusing her of stealing her sister's identity to obtain a mortgage...then defaulting on that mortgage, leaving taxpayers on the hook.
U.S. Attorney Targets White-Collar Crime
Wall Street Journal
In San Francisco, Mr. Russoniello said he is trying to crack down on cases like mortgage fraud, though he doesn't have the budget to hire additional white-collar prosecutors.
Arrests Made in Orlando Mortgage Fraud Roundup
MyFoxOrlando.com
During the real estate boom two years ago, some units were going for a half million dollars. Now some are short selling for just 50 grand.
10 Accused of Mortgage Fraud at PR Coastal Resort
Forbes
A developer and nine other people, including a former salsa singer, have been charged in an alleged $14 million mortgage fraud in Puerto Rico...
Strodtman Jury Selected in Mortgage Fraud Trial
Greeley Tribune
Attorneys will deliver opening statements this morning in the trial of Mark Strodtman, who is accused of bilking homeowners in a mortgage scheme years ago.
FHA Digging Out After Loans Sour
Wall Street Journal
Most banks rejected Ms. DeForte because her debt level was too high and her credit score too low. But Lend America put Ms. DeForte into a $402,000 loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration...
Mortgage Fraud Probe Nets 105 Across State
Bradenton Herald
At least one local man is among 105 people arrested across the state following a nine-month investigation into organized mortgage fraud.
Mortgage Fraud Increases
MortgageRates.co.nz
The number of frauds involving professional advisors, such as accountants and lawyers, has increased from two to four since March 2008.
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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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