Key Figure In Erie Mortgage Scam Gets 6+ Years In Federal Pen

In Erie, Pennsylvania, the Erie Times News reports:

• Erie businessman Robert L. Dodsworth has been sentenced to six years and four months in federal prison for his role in a widespread mortgage-fraud scheme. [...] The government claims that Dodsworth and others bought run-down houses in Erie and sold them at artificially inflated prices.

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• Dodsworth said he simply wanted to help less-fortunate Erie residents become homeowners -- and make money doing it. "I realize it was illegal now to do it," Dodsworth, 60, said at his three-hour sentencing hearing in federal court before U.S. District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin. "My intent was to clean up homes in the city. ... And make money.

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• Most of the buyers were low-income, and many of them knew little about buying homes, the government said in court paperwork. Nearly 200 properties were involved in the probe, and federal officials said victims lost more than $1 million between 2003 and 2006. Five people, including Dodsworth, have been charged in the case.

For more, see:

• Scheme brings 6 years in prison,
• Dodsworth gets more than 6 years in mortgage-fraud case,
• Fraud case pushed to today.

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