Veronica Frazier, 42, Pearland, Texas, Robert Veazie, 35, Houston, Texas, and Felton Greer, 41, Houston, Texas, have been charged with fraudulently obtaining home purchase loans. The indictments were returned under seal on May 5, 2010, and were unsealed once the three defendants were in custody.

Frazier was charged in a five-count indictment with conspiracy and wire fraud arising from a scheme to defraud residential lenders in connection with individual condominium purchases in a building located at 917 Main Street, Houston, Texas, also known as "The Kirby Lofts."

Veazie and Greer were each charged in a separate but related four-count indictment with conspiracy and wire fraud relating to the Kirby Lofts scheme, as well as in connection with other single-family home purchases in the Houston, Texas area.

Greer surrendered to FBI agents, while Veazie surrendered to the United States Marshals Service. Both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy who allowed them to be released upon posting $50,000 bond. Frazier was arrested by FBI agents and is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson.

According to the allegations in the indictment returned last week, the Kirby Lofts transactions were sham sales. From about January 2006 to October 2006, Frazier recruited individuals with good credit to act as borrowers in applications for mortgage loans to purchase units in The Kirby Lofts and, with the assistance of co-conspirators, assisted these "straw borrowers" with providing false information and documents to induce lenders to fund purchases of units in The Kirby Lofts. The indictment also alleges Frazier and other co-conspirators submitted invoices for payment from loan proceeds and used the money to pay themselves and straw borrowers from loan proceeds.

The indictment against Veazie and Greer alleges they acted as "straw borrowers" in the Kirby Lofts scheme and also for other residential loans involving single-family residential properties in the Houston, Texas area. According to the indictment, Veazie and Greer received kickbacks from loan proceeds and provided false statements and documents to induce lenders to fund the purchase loans.

The maximum penalty, upon conviction, for conspiracy and wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Belinda Beek and Vernon Lewis are prosecuting the case.