Federal authorities in NY announce mortgage fraud charges against 41 people

September 17th, 2009 Authorities crack down on 2 mortgage aid firmsWASHINGTON — Federal authorities are cracking down on two companies that promised homeowners help with their mortgages, accusing them of posing them as government agencies. The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday said it filed charges against two companies — Nations Housing Modification Center and Infinity Group Services.

August 25th, 2009 NY prosecutors accuse investment banker of fraudNEW YORK — Federal authorities in New York have arrested an investment banker on charges he lied to Citibank to get a $74 million loan. Prosecutors accused Hassan Nemazee on Tuesday of giving Citibank documents showing he owned millions of dollars in collateral.

August 24th, 2009 Feds, 10 states join to fight mortgage fraudOLYMPIA, Wash. — Ten state attorneys general and four federal agencies are forming a task force to combat mortgage fraud.

August 13th, 2009 Clarification: Mortgage fraud storyLOS ANGELES — In the first paragraph of an Aug. 10 story about a mortgage fraud trial, The Associated Press reported that real estate agent Joseph Babajian was acquitted in the scheme, while two others were found guilty.

August 11th, 2009 High-profile Calif. real estate agent acquittedLOS ANGELES — A high-profile Beverly Hills real estate agent has been acquitted of participating in a massive mortgage fraud scheme that caused federally insured banks to lose more than $40 million.

July 31st, 2009 Federal authorities create mortgage fraud teamNEW HAVEN, Conn. — Federal authorities are creating a mortgage fraud task force in Connecticut to investigate schemes that contributed to the economic crisis and emerging crime trends associated with the growing tide of foreclosures.

July 28th, 2009 Feds charge 41 in Fla. mortgage fraud schemesMIAMI — Federal prosecutors say 41 people have been charged in the latest round of South Florida mortgage fraud schemes.

July 15th, 2009 Feds: Fugitive NY broker caughtNEW YORK — Federal authorities say they have captured a former Wall Street broker who became a fugitive after being charged in a securities fraud case. Julian Tzolov (Zoh-LOHV') had been the subject of an international manhunt since he disappeared shortly before a trial scheduled in Brooklyn in June.

July 8th, 2009 6 arrests in Wall Street fraud caseNEW YORK — Federal authorities say six people have been arrested in a securities fraud investigation involving a Wall Street brokerage firm. The case involves an alleged $140 million scheme that spanned a decade.

July 1st, 2009 Criminal charges filed against Beazer HomesATLANTA — Federal prosecutors in North Carolina have filed criminal fraud conspiracy charges against Beazer Homes USA. The Atlanta-based homebuilder has been under scrutiny for certain business and financial practices.

June 12th, 2009 NJ mortgage company president guilty in $139M scamNEWARK, N.J. — The former president of a New Jersey mortgage company has pleaded guilty in a $139 million fraud scheme that bankrupted his firm.

June 5th, 2009 Summary Box: Mozilo accused of civil fraudFORMER COUNTRYWIDE CEO CHARGED: The government has accused Angelo Mozilo and two other former executives of the fallen mortgage lender of civil fraud and insider trading. The three dispute the civil charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

June 4th, 2009 SEC charging ex-Countrywide CEO Mozilo with fraudWASHINGTON — The government is charging Angelo Mozilo, the former chief executive of mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp., and two other company executives with civil fraud. The case brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission also accuses Mozilo of illegal insider trading, according to an agency spokesman.

May 12th, 2009 Lawyer set to plead guilty to huge fraudNEW YORK — A prominent Manhattan lawyer has pleaded guilty to defrauding hedge funds of more than $400 million. Fifty-eight-year-old Marc Dreier on Monday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

April 22nd, 2009 Criminal charges added in bank bailout fraud caseNASHVILLE, Tenn. — A defense lawyer says a former financial adviser in Tennesee will plead guilty to criminal charges in the first fraud case related to the federal bank bailout program.