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Florida homebuilder linked with Edgeworth businessman in bank fraud scheme pleads guilty to conspiracy

A Florida homebuilder pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in connection with a $2.4 million bank fraud scheme involving Joseph Nocito Jr., president of Castle Mortgage in McCandless.

Mark Sosso, 43, owner of Sosso Homes in Sarasota, waived indictment and pleaded to a count of conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab, who set sentencing for January.

Vallejo man receives prison term for investment scheme

A Vallejo man was sentenced to prison Thursday for one count of selling unregistered securities, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Ken Sarna, 50, was one of a number of people indicted in 2010 in a real estate investment scheme operated under the name Heaven Investments Holding Co. (HIHC).

Fryar, mother seek new trial or reversal

Before former NFL star Irving Fryar and his mother are sentenced next month for their roles in a $1.2 million mortgage scheme, a New Jersey judge will rule on their lawyers’ motions asking for either a verdict reversal or a new trial.

Fryar, a wide receiver who played for the Eagles and other teams during his 17-year NFL career, and his mother, Allene McGhee, 74, formerly of Willingboro, were convicted of conspiracy and theft by deception Aug. 7. Each faces five to 10 years in prison and up to $150,000 in fines on Oct. 2 when state Superior Court Judge Jeanne T. Covert is expected to sentence them.

Charleston man charged in $800K real estate lending fraud

Federal prosecutors are charging a Charleston mortgage lender with raising $800,000 from investors and spending most of the proceeds on personal expenses.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Alison Vance White told his financial backers that their money would go to clients who wanted to buy homes but couldn’t qualify for traditional loans

Former loan officer at defunct South Hills mortgage company pleads guilty to fraud

A senior loan officer at a defunct South Hills mortgage company pleaded guilty Tuesday to his role in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme just as he and the former company president were set to go on trial in federal court.

Robert Denne of Jefferson Hills, a former top loan officer at Century III Home Equity and later CrossCountry Mortgage, pleaded to bank and wire fraud and will be sentenced in December.

Former Minn. Real Estate Developer Sentenced for Tax Evasion, Fraud

A former Minnesota real estate developer was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for tax evasion and fraud.

Fifty-seven-year-old Bartolemoea Montanari, formerly of Bayport, was sentenced Wednesday. Montanari was also ordered to pay mandatory restitution of $100,000 and, additionally, to pay more than $1.5 million as a special assessment for the taxes, interest and penalties owed.

Ex-Cranberry couple arraigned on fraud charges

An ex-Cranberry couple living in Florida appeared briefly before a federal magistrate in Pittsburgh Tuesday to answer to bankruptcy fraud charges involving some $1 million in hidden assets and a separate embezzlement case.

Gregory Makozy, who formerly ran A1 Mortgage Co. in Cranberry, and his wife, Maria Makozy, were arraigned and allowed to remain free on bond pending trial in two fraud schemes.

Maui Ponzi Scheme Judgment Pushed to October

Two former Maui residents face up to 20 years in prison on each of ten mail and wire fraud offenses when they are sentenced before US District Judge Derrick Watson.

George Lindell, 67, and Holly Hoaeae, 40, were found guilty of the charges in May for their connection to a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme associated with their mortgage and insurance business on Maui.

Former loan officer at defunct South Hills mortgage company pleads guilty to fraud

A senior loan officer at a defunct South Hills mortgage company pleaded guilty Tuesday to his role in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme just as he and the former company president were set to go on trial in federal court.

Robert Denne of Jefferson Hills, a former top loan officer at Century III Home Equity and later CrossCountry Mortgage, pleaded to bank and wire fraud and will be sentenced in December.

FDLE agent apologized for mortgage form flap

During an investigation into allegations of mortgage fraud, a state law enforcement agent apologized for signing a document she said she didn’t read first.

But Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Special Agent Kathy Smith, who served a five-day unpaid suspension last month for breaking the agency’s code of conduct, didn’t commit mortgage fraud, according to the agency’s internal investigation report.