Atlanta Woman Admits to Running Mortgage Business Without License

Kawana Latrell Melvin of Atlanta pleaded guilty in Superior Court of Clayton County in Georgia to felony charges that she operated a mortgage banking business without a license. She also admitted to making a false statement with respect to her eligibility to work in the state's residential mortgage industry. The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance referred this matter to the State Attorney General's Office after learning she continued to work a as mortgage loan processor for a residential mortgage licensee in violation of a final cease and desist order. Melvin used a false document purportedly written by the Commissioner of the Department that provided that she was not prohibited from engaging in residential mortgage activities. Melvin has been placed on probation for a period of three years and must pay a fine in the amount of $2,000. While on probation, she is prohibited from obtaining employment in any real estate or mortgage business and cannot apply for or obtain professional licenses in either of these industries.