Friday, November 14, 2008

U.S. Attorney Launches Mortgage Fraud Task Force

United States Attorney Catherine Hanaway announced the formation of the U.S. Attorney’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force.  The first meeting of the U.S. Attorney’s Task Force on Mortgage Fraud has already taken place at the U.S. Attorney’s office in St. Louis.

“Most of us have learned the hard way that the mortgage industry is a crucial part of our economy and that dishonesty and corruption have damaged the integrity of that industry,” said Hanaway.  “This task force is an attempt to build on the relationships that have already been established among law enforcement over the last several years, and to reach out to a broader group to make sure the prosecutorial response to the mortgage fraud crisis is as intense as the crisis itself.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Missouri has a long history of prosecuting mortgage fraud.  “We have a strong record of prosecuting these fraudsters to the full extent of the law,” said Hanaway.  “This Task Force should cast a broader net so that we can catch more of these criminals and put them behind bars.”

The Task Force aims are three-fold:

(1) to stop mortgage fraud before it starts by educating industry officials, the borrowing community and local law enforcement;

(2) to ensure ALL cases of fraud are brought to the attention of law enforcement and prosecutors and

(3) once cases are charged, to take care that the voice of the communities victimized by mortgage fraud are heard by the courts.

The Task Force is made up of a broadly based group of law enforcement, government regulators and real estate professionals.  In attendance at Wednesday’s meeting were representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Missouri Department of Insurance-Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, Missouri Mortgage Bankers Association, Missouri Association of Mortgage Brokers, Missouri Bankers’ Association, St. Louis Association of Realtors, the City of St. Louis-Office of Development, the Washington Police Department, the Webster Groves Police Department, the Ferguson Police Department, the Hazelwood Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, the St. Louis Better Business Bureau and the United States Attorney’s Office.

Anyone wishing to join the Task Force or to report evidence of mortgage fraud should call Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus at (314) 539-2200.

mortgage fraud

1. It’s about time! it seems as if the Department of Justice is taking its time. Perhaps a Certified Forensic Financial expert would be helpful in sorting this out and not wasting taxpayer money prosecuting people under a theory of “knew or should have known” that is not supported by the totality of documents and actual direct in person conversations as evidence. Prosecuting the real fraudsters this way instead of using hearsay and circumstantial evidence is a more direct way to conviction and restitution for victims.

   Posted by  on  11/14  at  07:33 AM

2. NOW we’re getting to the True Root of the financial crisis. You know, the one Congress and the press have been dodging.

   I’d love to be on that taskforce.

   Posted by  on  11/14  at  12:18 PM

3. This is great, most of the agencies that I have reported to seemed to have been so overloaded.  The FBI has done a great job despite the tremendous volume.  The only problem is, our prisons are pretty full as it is.  There should be some kind of “tax” placed on these individuals for a lifetime.  A “Mark” on their credit report.  Then perhaps we can re-educate society that ethics do matter, as one of the tragedies of this crisis was the perpectual “everyone else is doing it” philosophy.  Everyone else may be doing it, but it is wrong.  We need to return to solid ethics in our financial system.

   Posted by  on  11/19  at  03:59 AM

4. It’s about time, let’s hope Connecticut gets on the ball. There have been to many “bad apples” overlooked because the Consumer Protection Dept. is understaffed. I know it’s taken 3 years for an appraiser to be investigated and sanctioned. Just think of the problems caused along the way.

   Posted by  on  11/19  at  06:27 AM

5. I’m with Stephen.....where do I submit my resume?

   Posted by  on  11/19  at  10:30 AM

6. Thank You Godbless we have Mr Tom Albus now. We kew a guy and his partners.
   Mr Phong Dinh ,Tran www.rtbankcard.com
   who was an agent for HSBC credit card. He made connection with Bankers people and made up several Flase documents , hyer incomes, fogered people names, ..etc and cash money back each house and used third party people to cash money out for him. He trapped people in loans and he just was in deeds . some houses after bought Mr Tran forged again and made contrast to rent it and got more cash money to his pocket and nobody can do anything.
   Please help us to make investigation . Thank you so much Mr Tom Albus
   We got around 7 people victims. Real life will be more when you help the investigation please

   Posted by  on  11/19  at  07:07 PM