More On Central Ohio Alleged $25 Million Mortgage Fraud

Nine people have been accused in a $25 million mortgage fraud scheme in which the value of more than 500 real estate properties in central Ohio was exaggerated to mortgage lenders and to prospective buyers. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Those indicted are: Donald F. Green, 48, of Columbus, real-estate investor; Shawn A. Griffin, 37, of Cleveland, real-estate investor; Aryeh M. Schottenstein, 33, of Oak Park, Mich., real-estate investor; Jeffrey M. Lieberman, 56, of Bexley, real-estate investor; George T. “Terry” Jordan, 50, of Canal Winchester, real-estate agent; Dwayne L. Carter, 37, of Columbus, loan officer; Jonathan L. Boyd, 38, of Columbus, loan officer; Kenyatta Johnson, 37, of Michigan, loan officer; James Darneil Gaither, 37, appraiser.

For a copy of the indictment, see U.S. vs. Green, Schottenstein, et al.

See also, The Columbus Dispatch - 9 accused of home scams (Money laundering, bogus appraisals cited). For story update, see Two mortgage-fraud cases heard in federal court.

In a related story about two victims of this scam, see Mortgage scheme hits home (South Side pair may be homeless after foreclosure).

For a story update (May 2, 2008), see Two More Plead Guilty In Mortgage Fraud Scheme:

• "Aryeh Schottenstein, age 34, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering, and Shawn A. Griffin, age 38, also of Columbus, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering. [...] Schottenstein and Griffin were indicted along with Donald F. Green, Jeffrey Lieberman and George "Terry" Jordan for a mortgage fraud scheme in central Ohio in 2003 and 2004. [...] Green pleaded guilty on April 11. Lieberman and Jordan pleaded guilty on April 24. All are free pending sentencing. ).