Wellington Man Sentenced on Mortgage Fraud Charges

R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, and Sheriff Ric L. Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announced that on January 9, 2009, defendant Orlando M. Gonzalez, 55, of Wellington, FL, was sentenced for his participation in a mortgage fraud scheme. Gonzalez had previously pled guilty to charges of wire fraud, unlawful use of an access device and identity theft. Gonzalez was sentenced to 46 months’ incarceration, and was ordered to pay $446,452.00 in restitution to victims National City Bank, American Express, and the person whose identity was stolen.

The four-count Information charged Gonzalez with two counts of wire fraud involving one property and more than $3.6 million obtained in fraudulent mortgages in Wellington, FL. These fraudulent mortgages resulted in a loss of approximately $400,000 to National City Bank. In addition, Gonzalez was charged in another two counts with stealing an individual’s identity to obtain an American Express credit account, and then using that credit account to obtain more than $33,000 in money, merchandise and services.

According to the Information, the defendant engaged in a scheme to obtain mortgages from lenders using straw purchasers and through the submission of false documentation, including false loan applications, false employment information, false salary statements, and false rental income. He then stole the identity of one of the straw purchasers to obtain the American Express credit account. Gonzalez used the American Express credit account to obtain cash, merchandise and services without the permission of the person whose name appeared on the account.

Mr. Acosta commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ellen L. Cohen of the West Palm Beach United States Attorney’s Office.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.