Archives For Mortgage Fraud

Man Arrested For Defrauding Federal Criminal Forfeiture

Stephanie Abbott —  August 21, 2024 — Leave a comment

Levelle Joseph Harris, 38, Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested on an indictment charging him with four counts of wire fraud.

According to court documents, between February 7, 2022, and January 31, 2023, Harris devised a scheme to defraud by obtaining a mortgage through false representations. Harris then used the proceeds from the fraudulently obtained mortgage to purchase a residence that was subject to federal criminal forfeiture. Harris fraudulently obtained more than $650,000 as part of the scheme.

If convicted, Harris faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. Harris is also facing a forfeiture order of $651,432, a sum which represents the total amount of proceeds obtained by Harris from the wire fraud scheme. A federal grand jury had indicted Harris on August 6, 2024.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg made the announcement.

An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Harrington is handling the forfeiture.

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Guilty Plea in Mortgage Fraud Case

Stephanie Abbott —  September 16, 2019 — Leave a comment

Theodore Kurz, 70, New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on September 12, 2019 to mortgage fraud.

According to court documents, Kurz obtained mortgages for three properties through the State of Louisiana, Division of Administration, Office of Community Development.  He then forged mortgage cancellations that he filed with the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court to falsely make it appear that the loans had been satisfied.  Kurz then obtained mortgages through a different lender, falsely claiming that there were no outstanding mortgages or liens on the properties.

Kurz faces 30 years of imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for December 12, 2019.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Supervisor of General Crimes.

 

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