Mortgage Fraud—Alabama

A mortgage company officer who was convicted on three mortgage-fraud related charges in May has been sentenced in Alabama.^[1] Tavares Charles Williams, who was convicted of social security fraud and making false statements, was given twelve months in prison and a three-year supervised release term.^[2]

Between February and March, 2000, Mr. Williams falsified social security numbers and HUD real estate application documents which enabled ineligible home buyers to qualify for Federal Housing Administration loans; approximately $112,304 was taken through the fraudulent scheme.^[3]

Social Security Fraud
Under 42 U.S.C. § 408(a)(7)(B), it is a crime for a person to use a social security number which is not his own for the purpose of causing an increase in any payment from any program financed in whole or in part from Federal funds.

The punishment for violating this section is a fine, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.^[4]

Making False Statements
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3), it is a crime for a person to make or use any false writing or document—knowing that it contains any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry—in any matter within the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States.

The punishment for a violation of section 1001 is a fine, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.^[5]

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[1] US Attorney’s Office, Press Release: Mortgage Company Officer Sentenced for HUD Loan Fraud, Oct. 14, 2005, available here.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] 42 U.S.C. § 408(a).
[5] 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a).