Maria Antonia Franks Hernandez, Wyoming, Michigan, has been accused of defrauding the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by fraudulently obtaining a mortgage, defaulting on that mortgage and leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.

Franks Hernandez is accused of stealing her sister's identity between December 2003 and February 2004 to fraudulently obtain an $83,000 mortgage through MSHDA. She then defaulted on the mortgage, leaving taxpayers with a balance of more that $76,000. Franks Hernandez's sister resides in Mexico.

Franks Hernandez is charged with one count of false pretenses over $20,000, a 10-year felony, as well as one count of identity theft, a 5-year felony. Franks Hernandez was arraigned Friday in the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids before Judge Donald Passenger. The court imposed a $5,000 bond and Franks Hernandez is next due in court for a preliminary examination before Judge Jeanine LaVille on November 10.

"Mortgage fraud is making it harder for people who play by the rules to achieve the American dream of home ownership," said Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.

The charges are the result of a joint effort by the Michigan Attorney General's office, the Michigan State Police and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.