FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending November 6, 2009

Washington, D.C. November 06, 2009

Tampa: Mortgage Fraud Surge Investigation Nets More Than 100 Individuals

A nine-month mortgage fraud surge investigation resulted in charges against more than 100 defendants and involves allegations concerning more than $400 million in loans procured by fraud and more than 700 properties. There are currently mortgage fraud-related charges pending against approximately 500 defendants in federal mortgage fraud cases around the nation. The cases concern both mortgage schemes designed to defraud mortgage lenders and “foreclosure rescue schemes” which prey on distressed homeowners.

New York: Former Pro Football Player Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud

Clyde “Peter” Hall pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a scheme in which Hall conspired to file serial, fraudulent bankruptcy petitions to evade eviction and remain in a Manhattan apartment rent-free.

Sacramento: Former Executive Charged in Tomato Industry Corruption Case

Alan Scott Huey, former executive and senior vice president for the Monterey-based SK Foods, L.P., was charged with participating in a conspiracy involving honest services fraud and causing the introduction and delivery for introduction of adulterated and misbranded food into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.

Salt Lake City: Three Idaho Men Sentenced for Federal Hate Crime Assault

Michael Bullard, Richard Armstrong, and James Whitewater were sentenced for hate crime and conspiracy charges in connection with the racially-motivated assault of an African-American man outside of a Wal-Mart store in July 2008.

Columbia: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Attempt to Kill Federal Officer

Terrell L. Mallard pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a federal officer, two counts of attempting to kill a person assisting a federal officer, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Last February, Mallard opened fire on federal Task Force Officer Alan Ali, a Charleston County Deputy assigned to the United States Marshal Service, as well as North Charleston police officers James Roberts and Robert Burnem while the three were attempting to arrest him on a bank robbery charge.

FBI Headquarters: Fraudulent Automated Clearing House Transfers Connected to Malware and Work-at-Home Scams

As part of a continuing effort to identify the latest cyber crime trends and warn the public, the FBI issued a warning about a significant increase in fraud involving the exploitation of valid online banking credentials belonging to small and medium businesses, municipal governments, and school districts.

New York: Accountant for Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, LLC Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Tax Charges

David G. Friehling, the accountant for Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, LLC, pleaded guilty to a nine-count Superseding Information charging him with securities fraud, investment adviser fraud, four counts of filing false audit reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and three counts of obstructing or impeding the administration of the internal revenue laws. In addition to pleading guilty, Friehling has agreed to cooperate with the Government in its ongoing investigation of Bernard Madoff’s fraud.

St. Louis: Canadian Man Sentenced on Charges of Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Plane

Adam Dylan Leon was sentenced to 24 months in prison on federal charges of interstate transportation of a stolen aircraft, importation of a stolen aircraft, and illegal entry, for flying a stolen Cessna 172 aircraft into the United States from Canada.

Atlanta: Former Executives Indicted for Conspiracy and Securities Fraud Related to Artificial Stock Inflation

Darryl Horton, Benjamin Stanley, and Rufus Paul Harris were indicted for securities fraud and conspiracy in connection with a scheme to defraud investors of the publicly-traded entity known as Conversion Solutions Holdings Corporation. They allegedly used intentionally false news releases about the company’s finances to propel scheme.

Los Angeles: Former Phone Company Employee Convicted of Lying to FBI, Perjury in Pellicano Wiretapping Case

A federal jury convicted Joann Wiggan, a former telephone company employee, of three counts of lying to the FBI and committing perjury before a grand jury and district court in connection with the wiretapping investigation of former private investigator Anthony Pellicano.