Laredo salesman sent to prison for fraud conspiracy costing HUD $1M in losses
LAREDO, Texas – A 38-year-old man was sentenced for his role in a complex mortgage fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.Edmundo De La Torre pleaded guilty April 19 to orchestrating a mortgage fraud scheme in which he altered hundreds of documents to get otherwise unqualified buyers’ approval for government-backed mortgages.U.S. District Judge Marina Marmalejo has now ordered De La Torre to serve 36 months in federal prison…
Press release
November 28, 2023
Local Property Owner to Pay $90,458 to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations Arising from HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that a local property owner will pay $90,458 to settle allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by charging a low-income tenant more than the amount permitted under the property owner’s agreement with the government under the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).
The government alleges that under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, David Krmpotich of…
Press release
September 29, 2023
USDA Employee and Others Indicted for Public Corruption
McALLEN, Texas - A 51-year-old Rio Grande City resident and employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been charged with bribery of public officials and witnesses, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Roberto Rodriguez, 51, turned himself in to authorities today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at 9 a.m. Also taken into custody and appearing today are Jose…
Press release
August 24, 2023
Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Pennsylvania Rental Property Owners and Operators
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Timothy Britton, the owner and operator of rental properties in the Falls Creek, Pennsylvania, area and Britton Enterprises LLC, doing business as “Tim’s Apartments,” which operates the rental properties, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania…
Press release
May 19, 2023
Realty Company Owner Pleads Guilty in Fraud Scheme
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of bank fraud and conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Lee Ann Benninghoff, age 44, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Benninghoff owned and operated Complete Escrow and Bella Casa Realty. From…
Press release
March 16, 2023
Dallas man heads to prison for deed fraud scheme
HOUSTON – A 61-year-old man has been sent to federal prison following his conviction of money laundering as well as conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
A federal jury deliberated for approximately half a day following an eight-day trial before returning a guilty verdict Sept. 20, 2022, on all counts against Clarence Roland III.
Today, U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal ordered Roland…
Press release
February 09, 2023
La Joya Residents Sentenced for Fraud Schemes
McALLEN, Texas – The former mayor of La Joya and two others have been ordered to federal prison for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Former mayor Jose Adolfo Salinas, 83, pleaded guilty July 19, 2021, while his daughter - Frances Salinas De Leon, 54 - and Ramiro Alaniz, 40, both admitted to their guilt June 17, 2021. All are from La Joya
Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Salinas to 33 months in prison,…
Press release
April 28, 2022
Landlord to Pay $90,000 under the False Claims Act for Violating HUD Rules by Renting Subsidized Section 8 Apartment to Relative
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Mikhail Geneles (“Geneles”), will pay $90,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that he illegally claimed subsidies from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) while renting an apartment to his father-in-law in violation of the department’s requirements.
The settlement resolves allegations that, between May…
Press release
July 01, 2021
Landlord to Pay $128,000 under the False Claims Act for Allegedly Renting Subsidized Section 8 Apartment to a Family Member
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Dmitry Royzman, will pay $128,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that he illegally claimed subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) while renting an apartment to his mother-in-law in violation of the program’s requirements.
The settlement resolves allegations that, between December 2008 and…
Press release
March 08, 2021
Six Charged in Transnational Money Laundering Operation Involving Elder Fraud
TYLER, Texas – U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox announced today that six individuals have been arrested pursuant to a federal indictment alleging money laundering violations.
“The threat posed by transnational organized crime is continuing to increase,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox. “Of particular concern to us is the financial exploitation of older Americans by foreign-based crime rings. These villains are located thousands of…
Press release
July 31, 2020