Thursday, June 19, 2008

Another Maryland Foreclosure Rescue Operator Faces Federal Indictment

In Greenbelt, Maryland, The Baltimore Sun reports:
  • A widespread probe of mortgage fraud resulted yesterday in grand jury indictments against four Maryland residents, less than a week after federal prosecutors here accused eight other people of bilking homeowners and banks of more than $35 million in an unrelated mortgage scheme.

  • In the latest indictments, Cheryl Brooke, 51, and Michael K. Lewis, 56, of Upper Marlboro; his brother, Earnest Lewis, 59, of Takoma Park; and Winston Thomas, 42, of New Carrollton, are accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in connection with a scheme in which they offered to help homeowners stave off foreclosure. Instead, they defrauded mortgage lenders and the homeowners, the 12-count indictment says.

For more, see Jury indicts four more in mortgage fraud probe.

See also, WBAL-TV Channel 11: Businessman Indicted On Mortgage Fraud Charges (I-Team Investigation Uncovered Lewis's Alleged Scheme).

  • A Prince George's County businessman was indicted on charges of bilking his customers out of their homes and their equity while they thought he was saving them from foreclosure. The WBAL TV 11 News I-Team first began investigating Michael K. Lewis last year. He was indicted Wednesday on mortgage fraud charges and he could face millions of dollars in fines and the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.

See also, U.S. Attorney press release: Michael K. Lewis and Three Others Indicted in Mortgage Fraud Scheme - Allegedly Targeted Victims Through Local TV Ads.

Go here for other posts on Maryland foreclosure rescue operator Michael K. Lewis.