Berne A. Watkins, 71, codefendant of Aaron Dare, the former head of Albany, New York's now defunct Urban League, was sentenced to 9 months in prison, followed by six months home confinement, three years probation and $792,685 in restitution. Watkins faced a prison term of between 37 and 46 months under federal sentencing guidelines. However, due to the defendant's age, lack of criminal history and his efforts at restitution, U.S. District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn ordered a lighter sentence.
As previously reported by Mortgage Fraud Blog, Aaron Dare was sentenced to 63 months in prison and ordered to pay almost $2 million in restitution.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors.