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PITTSBURGH - January 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- An attorney pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, filing false income tax returns, and failing to file income tax returns, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 31, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michael J. Smith, 31, of Springfield, Pennsylvania, was charged today by indictment with participating in a mortgage fraud conspiracy that caused losses of over $600,000, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Specifically, Smith is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and forfeiture. According to the indictment, Smith, who was a mortgage broker at the time, conspired with John C. Lucidi, Jr. and Eric Maratea, both of whom are charged elsewhere, as well as numerous other individuals, in a scheme to buy properties at inflated prices so that buyers could receive kickbacks of tens of thousands of dollars. Smith was one of the alleged buyers.

January 24, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a fourth defendant connected to a mortgage fraud scheme was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik to spend five months in federal prison.

December 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a third defendant connected to a mortgage fraud scheme was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik to spend 20 months in federal prison.

PITTSBURGH, PA - November 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A resident of Blairsville, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 41 months in prison on his conviction of wire fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - June 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Edward G. And Jacqueline McCusker, both 47, of New Hope, PA, were convicted today in connection with a $14.6 million mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in at least 35 fraudulent mortgage loans, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The couple was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, six counts of wire fraud and three counts of mail fraud. Edward McCusker was also convicted of an additional count of mail fraud. The McCuskers operated Axxium Mortgage, Inc., along with co-defendant John Bariana who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Co-defendants Jeffrey A. Bennett and Stephen G. Doherty, owners of the Doylestown law firm Bennett & Doherty, P.C., also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kirk H. Kirby, 40, of Capital Heights, Maryland, and Sholonda Y. Johnson, 39, of Philadelphia, were sentenced today to 60 months and 30 months in prison, respectively, in connection with a real estate investment scheme, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Kirby and Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts each of wire fraud in connection with a real estate investment scheme that caused millions of dollars in losses to lenders. Kirby owned and operated Invictus Financial Group ("IFG"), located in Havertown, PA. Johnson was a loan officer at various mortgage brokerage companies.

March 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- PETER J. SMITH, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and GEORGE C. VENIZELOS, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today a former York County woman has been charged with defrauding 14 mortgage lenders, 35 homeowners and five individual investors in Cumberland, Dauphin, York, and Adams Counties out of approximately $2,700,000 between 2006 and 2008.