Ohio Feds Indict Cincinnati Cop In Alleged Sale Leaseback, Foreclosure Rescue Straw Buyer Scam; Allegedly Steals $200K Insurance Benefits From Widow

In Cincinnati, Ohio, WLWT-TV Channel 5 reports:

• A federal grand jury indicted a Cincinnati police officer Thursday on fraud and other charges in connection with an alleged foreclosure scheme. Adrian Mitchell is accused of forging signatures, falsifying documents and taking out fraudulent loans for several hundred thousand. An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Mitchell, who investigators said preyed on homeowners facing foreclosure.

• According to authorities, Mitchell bought the homes and rented them back to the previous owners. In one case, investigators said, Mitchell attempted to evict a Springfield Township couple from their home after they fell behind on their rent. Mitchell discovered the husband had hanged himself in the home’s basement and then forged life insurance documents, investigators said, which allowed him to collect nearly $200,000 in benefits intended for the man’s widow.

Source: Police Officer Indicted On Federal Fraud Charges.

See also:

• The Cincinnati Enquirer: Accused cop pleads not guilty (Suicide victim's insurance part of alleged take),
• WKRC-TV Channel 12: Cincinnati Officer Pleads Not Guilty.

To view the federal grand jury charges, see Indictment - U.S. v. Mitchell.

For story update (2-12-09), see Feds Drop Most Charges Against Cincy Cop/Foreclosure Rescue Operator Accused Of Preying On People Facing Foreclosure.

Go here for other posts on foreclosures and suicide. suicide homeowner foreclosure zeta