Florence Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney William N. Nettles stated today that Florena Y. Zantt, age 45, of Florence, South Carolina, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Florence, SC, to wire fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence, SC, accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after he has reviewed a presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Zantt filed credit disputes with Equifax and other credit agencies, submitting fictitious letters and other documents that she had created to make it appear that others had fraudulently obtained loans using her name. Zantt’s fraudulent submission resulted in her credit history being improved, thus allowing Zantt to obtain loans that she would not otherwise have been able to obtain. After having her credit history altered, Zantt obtained loans causing losses of over $48,000.

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty Zantt can receive is a fine of $1,000,000.00 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.00. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office handled the case.