14 INDICTED ON MORTGAGE FRAUD CHARGES

SARASOTA COUNTY SHERIFF TOM KNIGHT ALONG WITH THE U S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, THE F B I, AND F D I C ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THE UNSEALING OF A 44-COUNT INDICTMENT CHARGING 14 DEFENDANTS WITH CONSPIRACY TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS TO FEDERALLY INSURED BANKS IN CONNECTION WITH MORTGAGE LOANS, WIRE FRAUD, AND CRIMES RELATED TO THEIR FRAUDULENT ACQUISITION OF OVER $47 MILLION IN MORTGAGE LOANS AND 22 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE SARASOTA AREA.  THE INDICTMENT SAID THE DEFENDANTS ACTIVITIES SPANNED OVER 10 YEARS BETWEEN OCTOBER OF 1997 AND MARCH 2008.  THE INDICTMENT ALLEGES THE DEFENDANTS FALSIFIED STATEMENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS ON FINANCING DOCUMENTS TO OBTAIN LOANS FROM NEARLY A DOZEN FEDERALLY INSURED BANKS AND PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDERS IN THE SARASOTA AREA.  AUTHORITIES SAY MOST OF THE HOMES ARE CURRENTLY IN FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS.