Mortgage fraud

Robert Shapiro, the former chief executive officer of Woodbridge Group of Companies, pleaded guilty to running a $1.3 billion fraud that caused more than 7,000 investors to lose money, according to prosecutors.

A Sacramento CEO has pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from his employees' pensions, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California.

Mortgage fraud risk took a serious dive in the second quarter amid lower interest rates, which brought more refinance transactions into the market, according to CoreLogic.

Former Lend America executive Michael Ashley was sentenced to three years in prison for his actions that led to the implosion of the once-high-flying Melville, N.Y.-based mortgage lender.

A builder based near the Lake of the Ozarks swindled six families that sought new homes in Kirkwood, Mo., out of $356,000, the builder's federal plea agreement says.

A Nomura Holdings Inc. unit will repay customers about $25 million to settle U.S. regulators' allegations that it failed to supervise traders who made false statements in negotiating sales of mortgage securities.

An Indiana man was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after his conviction for participating in a foreclosure rescue fraud scheme.

A Bay Area real estate agent has been indicted on charges of fraud and money laundering after allegedly promising home loans to clients then taking their money.

Mortgage and real estate professionals need to do a better job of educating consumers and themselves about the growing vulnerability to wire fraud schemes during the home buying process.

Mortgage lenders might be feeling a little less stressed over False Claims Act actions being brought against them following recent headlines but there is still some work to be done before they can chill out.

Mortgage application fraud risk declined for the second consecutive month in May as housing market dynamics shifted towards the buyers, First American said.

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort pleaded not guilty in a New York mortgage fraud case — state charges that are beyond the reach of a presidential pardon.

Home sales in Baltimore plunged in May amid the recent ransomware attack on city government computers, including those essential for completing real estate transactions.

The anti-bribery law that Stephen Calk is accused of breaking carries stiff penalties — up to 30 years in prison — but violations can be relatively hard to prove because prosecutors must establish the defendant had a corrupt state of mind.

Mortgage application fraud risk declined for the first time since last summer because the home sales market became less competitive with an easing of the inventory shortage, First American said.

Freddie Mac uncovered a growing number of fraudulent school records and work histories in California, where Fannie Mae also has noted increasing instances of falsified employment information.

The sale of Lisa Kloid's Northeast Baltimore house was moving along quickly. It went under contract in April after less than a month, and the settlement was moved up to accommodate the eager first-time buyers.

Charges against Stephen Calk indicate he lied to regulators about what he knew when he approved loans to Paul Manafort, as well as his interest in landing a job in the Trump administration.

Four real estate professionals could face up to 30 years in prison and hefty fines after being indicted on charges related to allegedly defrauding Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and multifamily lenders.

The charge against Chicago banker Stephen Calk grew out of Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.