Posted by John Schenk on 8/20/09 1:20pm
Msg #301071

Notary (Melanie Wilkes) Indicted in Mortgage Fraud Scheme...


5 indicted and 1 guilty plea in Tennessee flipping fraud allegations
DateThursday, August 20, 2009 at 9:54AM

In the following press release Lawrence J. Laurenzi, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced that an indictment was returned today (18/9/09) against Michael Lusk [aka Michael Hunter and Michael Williams], Mykisha Williams, Gloria Buntyn, Keith Threatt and Melanie Wilkes on charges of conspiracy, mail, wire, and bank fraud arising from their involvement in a“flipping scheme” announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

According to the indictment, between approximately February 2003, and March 2008, Lusk who owned and operated several companies, recruited defendant Williams (his wife), and defendants Buntyn, Threatt and others (“the Sellers”) to purchase residential properties in Shelby County, Tennessee. The Sellers would then “flip” the properties to “Straw Buyers” including defendant Wilkes for substantially more than the Sellers had originally paid. Lusk arranged for mortgage loan financing in the names of the Straw Buyers to finance the purchases of the properties from the Sellers. In order to qualify the Straw Buyers for the loans, Lusk and others would submit false, fraudulent and fictitious loan underwriting and closing documents.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Materials

* Press Release
* Lusk et al Indictment
* McCasland Information
* McCasland Plea Agreement

The indictment gives the following additional information:
Lusk operated Challenge Mortgage, Wolfcrest Property Management, First Performance, Southern California REO, and Four Star Management.

Wilkes closed real estate transactions for various title companies including Blue Grass Title and First National Financial.

Williams, Buntyn and Threatt were sellers of properties involved in the alleged scheme

The properties mentioned in the indictment are:
744 Melrose, Memphis
61 W. McKellar, Memphis
1417 N. Bellevue, Memphis
128 W. Davant, Memphis
1486 Stevenson, Memphis
1235 Chickamauga, Memphis
1119 Kney, Memphis
250 W. Brooks Road, Memphis
144 W. Person, Memphis
1164 Canary Lane, Memphis
3676 Skylark, Memphis
__________________________________________________________________________________

The indictment also alleges that Rex McCasland, an appraiser who has previously entered a guilty plea to a criminal information charging him in the conspiracy, prepared appraisals containing false statements regarding the value and condition of some of the properties.

The indictment also alleges that in addition to acting as a Straw Buyer, defendant Wilkes, who was commissioned as a Notary Public, notarized signatures of other Straw Buyers on closing documents when the Buyers were not present at the closing.

Lusk was also charged with two counts of money laundering. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $12 million, two residential properties purchased by Lusk, several vehicles, and two Rolex watches.

This case was part of a joint investigation by the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll André.


http://www.mortgagefraud.org/journal/

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 1:22pm
Msg #301072

Malanie's site...

http://motorynotary.net/bio.aspx

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 1:26pm
Msg #301073

Facebook link...if you wanna see her pic..

http://www.facebook.com/people/Melanie-Wilkes/1078512530

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 1:27pm
Msg #301075

Fox TV 17 news...how much money?

5 indicted in property `flipping' scheme
August 19, 2009 18:57 EDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Five people have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Memphis in a "flipping scheme" involving the sale of property.

Prosecutors said Wednesday the five are accused of conspiracy and mail, wire and bank fraud over a five-year period ending in March 2008. They are Michael Lusk, Mykisha Williams, Gloria Buntyn, Keith Threatt and Melanie Wilkes.

According to the indictment, false loan underwriting and closing documents were submitted.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of $12 million, two residential properties purchased by Lusk, several vehicles and two Rolex watches.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 8/20/09 4:26pm
Msg #301099

Seems to be looking Heavenward. Might need the help n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 8/20/09 9:26pm
Msg #301139

Can't wait for her sad, pityful boobooface pose.

As for getting the help, I can't be sure of course, but it looks like God might be pretty busy over on C Street.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 8/20/09 1:26pm
Msg #301074

Re: Malanie's site...

Her site says she's a NNA certified notary signing agent. Go figure.

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 1:27pm
Msg #301076

Yep, she's NNA CERTIFIED! lol n/m

Reply by Vince/KS on 8/20/09 1:59pm
Msg #301080

Re: Malanie's site...

Interesting that it did not include passing a successful background check.

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 2:28pm
Msg #301087

Melanie Wilkes.....Gone With The Wind

Ya shouldn't a dun it Mizz Melanie. LOL

Sorry...couldn't pass up the play on words.

JJ

Reply by rengel/CA on 8/20/09 2:46pm
Msg #301090

Darn you John, you beat me to it! LOL n/m

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 2:56pm
Msg #301091

LOL It kept coming up in Google.

I didn't put the name and movie title together until it popped up. Wonder if Ashley is involved? LOL

JJ

Reply by MW/VA on 8/20/09 8:46pm
Msg #301127

Re: Malanie's site...

Wow. Her bio says she was a tax preparer & also worked for the IRS. Sounds like it was a pretty elaborate scam.

Reply by John Schenk on 8/20/09 1:36pm
Msg #301078

San Bernadino NOTARY arrested/conspiracy chg...Comm. jerked!


Two arrested, including a notary, in San Bernadino fraud allegations
DateWednesday, July 29, 2009 at 9:12AM

In the following press release it was announced that on Monday, July 27, 2009, Investigators from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit arrested Omar Paz, 52, of San Bernardino at his place of employment in the city of Monrovia. Co-defendant, Christi Fry, 56, of West Covina was also arrested without incident at her place of work in the city of Covina. The pair was arrested for real estate fraud-related criminal charges. Paz and his former wife had owned a home in the city of Rancho Cucamonga. Paz decided to sell their home after a domestic dispute and filed for divorce. During the real estate transaction, Paz forged his former wife’s signature on the disclosure forms, escrow instructions and grant deed. Fry, also formerly known as Christi Martin, was the escrow officer and public notary for the fraudulent transaction.

The property sold for approximately $470,000. The excess proceeds, in the amount of $83,538.66, was wired into the joint account of Paz and his former wife. Approximately 10 days later, Paz transferred $77,054 into his personal money market advantage account for which his former wife did not have access. She discovered her name had been forged on the disclosure forms, escrow instructions, and grant deed during her divorce proceedings. The California Secretary of State’s Notary Division conducted a separate administrative investigation and revoked Fry’s notary commission due to this fraudulent transaction.

After a thorough criminal investigation, Paz was charged with Conspiracy, Forgery, Grand Theft, Money Laundering and Offering a forged document to be recorded. Fry was charged with (1) Count of Conspiracy. Paz’ bail was set at $850,000.00 and Fry’s bail was set at $450,000.00.

http://www.mortgagefraud.org/journal/2009/7/29/two-arrested-including-a-notary-in-san-bernadino-fraud-alleg.html