Brooklyn DA Indicts Man In Alleged Deed Theft Victimizing Dead Property Owner

In New York City, the Kings County District Attorney's Office recently announced the indictment of George Marks, 40, on several charges of Grand Larceny, and six counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree. According to the Brooklyn DA's press release:

• The indictment against Marks charges that he forged a deed claiming ownership of the deed to 243 E. 54 Street and 5501 Church Avenue, in East Flatbush, and then tried to sell the building. The actual owner had died, and her son was in the midst of sorting out her will and estate, when, in 2006, Marks filed deeds claiming he was the actual owner, according to the indictment. Supporting tax documents discovered in the investigation showed that Marks claimed to have paid $20.00 for both properties, then valued at more than $1 million. While the deed forms were backdated to show that they had been filled out before the owner died, dates printed in the margins showed that they were not created until after her death.

• Marks is also charged with trying to sell 243 E. 54 Street to a married couple, in December 2006. The indictment alleges that he accepted a $10,000 down payment from the couple, but when questions about the deed arose, they requested their money back. Marks has not returned the payment. The indictment further charges that, in December 2006, Marks sold 243 E. 54 Street to a straw buyer, for $495,000, allowing Marks to keep the money generated in the sale and maintain ownership of the building.

Go here for the Brooklyn DA's press release.

Go here, go here, and go here for other posts on deed theft by forgery, swindle, etc. deed theft xenon