Trio To 'Enjoy' Federal Prison Time For Scheme Designed To Steal Home Equity Out From Under Two Unwitting Property Owners

From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Los Angeles, California):

• A North Hollywood man was sentenced [] to 15 months in federal prison for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme in which the schemers used stolen identities to “purchase” homes that were not for sale.



• Venedie Roberto Valencia, 27, who worked at Bank of America at the time of the offense, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer. In addition to the prison term, Judge Fischer ordered Valencia to pay $51,688 in restitution.



• Previously in this investigation, two of the Valencia’s co-conspirators were convicted and sentenced to prison. Felix Pichardo, 29, of Lancaster, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison in 2009 and Latrice Shaunte Borders, 31, of Long Beach, was sentenced to two years in federal prison in 2010 for their part in the scheme (see December 14, 2009 U.S. Attorney Press Release).



• According to court documents, Pichardo, a licensed real estate agent, and Borders participated in two separate fraudulent real estate sales transactions. Pichardo, using identities appropriated from other people, caused loan applications to be submitted to AmTrust without the property owner’s knowledge for real estate which was not for sale.

For the U.S. Attorney press release, see Former Bank Employee Sentenced To 15 Months In Federal Prison For Role In Mortgage Fraud Scheme.