MOBILE, Alabama – A federal judge on Monday sentenced a woman to pay restitution to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of an ongoing mortgage fraud prosecution the Midtown Mortgage brokerage. In June, 27-year-old Delaine Williams pleaded guilty to falsifying a mortgage loan application so that it would be approved. It was alleged she falsely indicated that $5,000 for a down payment had come from a gift from a borrower’…

PHILADELPHIA - Sondra Wong Nelson, 36, of Philadelphia was charged by Indictment, unsealed October 3, 2013, with one count of theft from a federally funded organization and two counts of falsely altering a postal money order, announced U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger. According to the indictment, between January 2012 and June 2010, during her tenure as a Supervisory Asset Manager at the Philadelphia Housing Authority (APHA@), Nelson embezzled…

For Immediate Release September 30, 2013 Contact: HUD OIG Communications [email protected] Washington, DC – Today, Inspector General David A. Montoya announced the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a report entitled, “Moving to Work Demonstration Program.”  This audit was undertaken to focus HUD management’s attention on problem areas reported on over the years…

Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations “Reducing Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Housing Programs: Inspector General Perspectives”  

Nikkijam30When the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh was questioned by the city controller, a television station and federal auditors in the past year, it turned to Michael Syme. Mr. Syme, an attorney with Downtown-based Cohen & Grigsby, is one of a handful of top consultants to the authority, who weigh in on key decisions involving redevelopment, security and the agency's internal structure.

An Akron man will spend 10 years in prison for leading a mortgage fraud scheme in Northeast Ohio and Florida, according to federal prosecutors. Jack R. Coppenger, 50, appeared in federal court Monday after previously pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy. U.S. District Judge John Adams called Coppenger an “economic predator” and said he would determine the amount of restitution Coppenger would pay later. The government requested $35…

DOVER — After pleading guilty to defrauding a dozen friends and neighbors, a former school official will serve at least 18 months in prison and must pay about $278,000 in restitution. While the case is tied to other victims, Nickolas Skaltsis, 62, of 6 Erik Drive, waived the indictment process and pleaded guilty to three counts of theft by deception and one count of theft by misappropriation of property. Dover resident Gary Green, who was taken…

Testimony of the Honorable David A. Montoya Inspector General before the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies on the Federal Housing Administration (6/04/2013)

Testimony of the Honorable David A. Montoya, Inspector General, before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on HUD Management Issues (03/14/2013)

Testimony of The Honorable David A. Montoya Inspector General Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on HUD Management Issues (03/29/2012)

While the majority of companies promoting FHA reverse mortgages are safe there are some mortgage fraudsters out to take your money, your house, or even your identity. Reading this alert is your best defense. A reverse mortgage allows borrowers to convert part of the equity in their homes into cash without having to sell their homes. To aid in this process, borrowers must meet with an FHA-approved Reverse Mortgage Lender to discuss program…