Orlando M. Gonzalez, 55, Wellington, Florida, surrendered to police on charges related to a mortgage fraud scheme. He was charged with wire fraud and identity theft. If convicted, Gonzalez faces up to 20 years in prison and restitution as to each of the two counts of wire fraud, and up to 15 years of incarceration and restitution as to the unlawful use of the credit card and identity theft charges.

More specifically, Gonzalez was charged in a four count information with two counts of wire fraud involving one property and more than $3.6 million obtained in fraudulent mortgages in Wellington, Florida, resulting in a loss of nearly $400,000 to National City Bank. In addition, Gonzalez is charged with stealing the identity of another person to obtain an American Express credit account and then using that credit account to obtain more than $33,000 in money, merchandise and services.

According to the Information, the defendant engaged in a scheme to obtain mortgages from lenders using straw purchasers and through the submission of false documentation, including false loan applications, false employment information, false salary statements, and false rental income. He then stole the identity of one of the straw purchasers to obtain the American Express credit account. Gonzalez used the American Express credit account to obtain cash, merchandise and services without the permission of the person whose name appeared on the account.

Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ellen L. Cohen of the West Palm Beach United States Attorneys Office.