Thursday, July 08, 2010

Federal Judge Issues Arrest Warrants For Foreclosure Rescue Scammers For Failing To Appear At Sentencing In Sale Leaseback, Equity Stripping Ripoff

In Honolulu, Hawaii, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reports:
  • A U.S. district judge issued two arrest warrants yesterday for an Oahu couple convicted of mortgage fraud after they did not show up for their sentencing. The couple—John Dimitrion and Julie Anne Baldueza Dimitrion—were scheduled to be sentenced on charges that they ran a fraudulent mortgage scheme that almost left three Oahu families homeless.

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  • Under a plea agreement struck in April 2009, John Dimitrion pleaded guilty to one charge each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements on loan applications. He faced a maximum of 45 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Julie Anne Dimitrion entered into a similar deal, pleading guilty to everything her husband did, except wire fraud. She faced a maximum of 30 years behind bars and $1.25 million in fines.

  • The Dimitrions admitted to offering to help homeowners facing foreclosure by arranging fraudulent loans for straw buyers for the homes. The couple—owners of Mortgage Alliance LLC and Global Financial Holdings LLC—then drained equity from the properties and tried to evict the homeowners. The Dimitrions also skimmed off thousands of dollars in processing fees from the loans.

For the story, see Mortgage fraud couple wanted by law (Warrants are issued for John and Julie Anne Dimitrion, who failed to show for sentencing).

See also, KITV-TV: FBI Hunt For Fugitive Married Couple ($1,000 Reward Offered For Capture).

For an earlier post on this story, see Hawaii Feds Ring Up 2 More Guilty Pleas In Sale Leaseback Foreclosure Rescue Scam; Civil Case Continues As One Victim Seeks To Recover Property Title.