Thread: FL. 20 Charged in $40 Million Bank and Mortgage Fraud

Twenty South Florida Residents Charged in $40 Million Bank and Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Real Estate Industry Professionals and Bankers Among Those Charged

U.S. Attorney’s Office September 29, 2011
Southern District of Florida(313) 226-9100

MIAMI—Twenty individuals, including numerous licensed real estate industry professionals, have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud in connection with their alleged participation in a $40 million mortgage fraud scheme. According to the indictment, from March 2006 through June 2008, the defendants conspired to submit false loan applications and related documents to multiple banks for the purpose of obtaining approximately $40 million in mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC). This resulted in approximately $20 million in losses to the banks.

The indictment was announced today by Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami Field Office; Michael K. Fithen, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service (USSS); Jon T. Rymer, Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC-OIG); and James K. Loftus, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), along with members of the Federal-State Mortgage Fraud Strike Force.

The 25-count indictment charges the following defendants: Alina Rubi, 45, of Miami (mortgage broker); Camilo Garcia, 39, of Miami (mortgage broker and realtor); Sylvia M. Zagales, 48, of Miami Lakes, Fla., (title agent); Ivette Carreno, 34, of Miami (bank manager); Pedro Rubi, 42, of Miami (mortgage broker); Dianelys Garcia, 37, of Miami (mortgage broker and realtor); Luis Pardo Dieguez, 51, of Miami (realtor); Galia Fernandez, Jr., 50, of Miami (mortgage broker and realtor); Sheena Eizmendiz, 36, of Miami; Ivis R. Hernandez, 41, of Miami (realtor); Jose Raul Hernandez, 52, of Miami (realtor); Yovanis Obregon Jimenez, 38, of Key Largo (real estate appraiser); Jose Manuel Pardo, 49, of Miami (realtor); Sandra M. Rodriguez, 50, of Miami, Mayra Martinez Suarez, 46, of Miami (mortgage broker); Laura E. Diaz, 57, of Hialeah, Fla.; Juan R. Prieto, 49, of Miami (realtor); Flavia E. Perez, 52, of Miami (mortgage broker); Jose Antonio Diaz, 75, of Miami, and Johny Hernandez, 25, of Miami (mortgage broker).

The defendants are variously charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud (count 1); bank fraud (counts 2-21); receipt of gifts for procuring loans (counts 22 and 23); and providing gifts for procuring loans (count 24 and 25). The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of real property and money derived from the fraud. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison on each count.

U.S. Attorney Ferrer stated, “Even by South Florida fraud standards, today’s prosecution is shocking. Never before have we seen so many real estate and bank industry professionals charged in a single indictment. In addition, the defendants’ $40 million fraud spanned two years and resulted in $20 million in actual losses to the victim banks. Our commitment to stomp out mortgage fraud is unwavering. We will continue to prosecute all those involved in fraud, from straw buyers and sellers, all the way up the chain to corrupt bank officials and mortgage brokers.â€

Sayonara Amigos.

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http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-251503.html