Six Charged in Chicago Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Alshawntus Beck of Plainfield, Ill., Michelle Parker, Steven Corbett, Kevin Keller, Jimmie D. Johnson and Otis Robinson III, all of Chicago, were charged with allegedly engaging in a $3 million mortgage fraud scheme in the Chicago area. According to Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, the indictment alleges that between February and December 2006, Mr. Beck operated three companies that purported to be in the business of buying, repairing and reselling real estate. Through his companies and with the alleged help of the other defendants, Mr. Beck allegedly purchased several Chicago properties through fraudulent means, including recruiting straw buyers, submitting loan applications and documents with false and fraudulent information and creating false real estate appraisals. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $3 million from the defendants. Arrest warrants were issued for all six defendants, who were unavailable for comment. They will be ordered to appear for arraignment at a later date.