North Dakota Feds Charge Title Abstractor With Forging Title Opinions

In Fargo, North Dakota, WXMC-TV Channel 13 reports:

• A Cando woman is accused in an elaborate scheme in which she allegedly used a fake law degree and a fictitious employee to forge real estate title opinions. Twenty-seven-year-old Diane Slaubaugh (SLAY'-baw) has pleaded not guilty in federal court in Fargo to 36 felony counts, including wire fraud and identify theft. Her trial is scheduled to begin December 10th. Authorities say Slaubaugh and her abstract company, Midland Services, forged the name and initials of Fargo attorney Brenda Rosten on 34 separate title opinions. A title opinion is a document prepared by an attorney that indicates the ownership and outstanding liens for a property. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jan Morley says what it boils down to is identity fraud. Slaubaugh's attorney had no comment.

Source: Woman accused of forging real estate title opinions.