Two Individuals Involved in Southeastern Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Scheme Sentenced to Prison

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two individuals involved in a southeastern Connecticut mortgage fraud scheme were sentenced yesterday by Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately 2004 to 2007, Jose Guzman and others used mortgage brokerage, property management, and home improvement companies to arrange for individuals (“buyers”) to purchase real estate, primarily residential housing properties located in New London County, by obtaining funding from various mortgage companies and mortgage originators after submitting false information on the buyers’ mortgage loan applications. The fraudulent information included information regarding income, assets, employment, rent history, as well as the buyers’ intention to make the properties their primary residence. The buyers were compensated for participating in the scheme.

The government believes that more than 200 fraudulent mortgages were funded through this mortgage fraud scheme, causing more than $9 million in losses to lenders. Michael Russo, 47, of New Haven, was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release. On December 14, 2010, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud.

Russo was a licensed real estate sales agent who worked with Guzman, Maurizio Lancia, William Athan, and others at Elizabeth Athan Realty in New London and Broad Street Investment Group in New London. During the conspiracy, Russo sought out residential real estate properties to be bought and sold and recruited three individuals to act as buyers in connection with the fraudulent purchase of eight properties. Russo knew that the mortgage loan applications and supporting documentation submitted to lenders in connection with these real estate transactions contained many false statements, including false representations that the buyers were going to make the properties their primary residences. On certain transactions, Russo acted as a witness and signed documents filed in connection with the closings. The individuals that Russo recruited received cash payments for acting as property buyers, and Russo sometimes received kickbacks from them. The eight properties ultimately ended up in foreclosure, resulting in losses to lenders totaling more than $1.7 million.

Russo was ordered to forfeit $65,000 and to pay restitution in the amount of $1,523,091.11.

Melissa Valentin, 28, of Uncasville, was sentenced to 18 months’ incarceration, nine months of which she will spend in home confinement, and two years’ supervised release. On August 30, 2011, Valentin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud.

Between June 2004 and August 2006, Valentin purchased approximately five houses in the New London area by providing false information on mortgage loan applications. Some of the properties were resold during the conspiracy and others ended up in foreclosure. For her role, Valentin received approximately $15,676 from Guzman.

Valentin was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $622,993.

Sixteen individuals, including Guzman, Lancia, and Athan have been convicted of various charges stemming from this scheme. On April 3, 2012, Lancia was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment. Guzman and Athan await sentencing.

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael S. McGarry and David T. Huang.

In July 2009, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the formation of the Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Task Force to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud cases and related financial crimes occurring in Connecticut. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected mortgage fraud activity by calling 203-333-3512 and requesting the Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Task Force or by sending an e-mail to ctmortgagefraud@ic.fbi.gov.

The Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Task Force includes representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General; and State of Connecticut Department of Banking.

To report financial fraud crimes, and to learn more about the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, please visit www.stopfraud.gov.