Feds Getting Guilty Pleas In K.C. Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy

Media articles report that James E. Coleman, a certified public accountant, and James R. Rhoades, both of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty in a Missouri Federal Court yesterday for their roles in a conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud. The conspiracy allegedly involved former Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields and her husband, Phillip Cardarella, who were among those indicted for their alleged roles in the scheme.

Last week, real estate appraiser Jeremy A. Plagman, of Lee's Summit and who did business as JET Appraisals, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy.

Reportedly, the organizer of the alleged scheme, Raymond Zwego Jr., will change his not guilty plea to a plea of guilty on May 31. Other defendants with change-of-plea hearings include Larry Barshaw and his wife, Linda M. Thompson-Barshaw, set for Friday, and Michael Rodd on May 31.

In addition, Katheryn Shields’ latest attempt to avoid a mortgage fraud trial in June collapsed yesterday when her request to dismiss the indictment against her was denied. The four remaining defendants — Shields, Cardarella, Monty J. Kinman and Rick A. Peterson — will apparently be going to trial, which is scheduled to start on June 4. For more, see:

• Two more plead guilty in mortgage fraud case (Kansas City Business Journal)
• Shields’ request is denied (The former county executive had sought dismissal of a mortgage fraud indictment) (The Kansas City Star)

(revised 5-22-07; 10:30 am)