3 indicted in mortgage fraud probe | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com

3 indicted in mortgage fraud probe | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.comThree people have been indicted in federal court in Pensacola as part of a nationwide investigation into mortgage fraud.

The indictments, which began in January, are part of a larger federal mortgage fraud investigation known as Operation Stolen Dreams that began in 2010.

The indicted include:

» Dorothy Rodriguez, 54, of Tampa pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud that affected a financial institution.

U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers is scheduled to sentence her on Aug. 17.

Rodriguez is accused of purchasing a $630,000 Navarre home through GMAC Mortgage.

In loan applications, she falsely claimed that she had a monthly salary in excess of $12,000 when in reality it was less than $2,500, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Once she closed on the house, she received a $10,000 kickback. Assistant U.S. Attorney Len Register said the source of the kickback was not a matter of public record as of Monday.

» Annita Hawes, 46, of Los Angeles pleaded guilty to bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and identity theft. Senior U.S. District Judge Lacey Collier is scheduled to sentence her on Aug. 9.

Hawes admitted to her involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme with ties to Florida, Georgia and California.

She purchased a home in Santa Rosa Beach with two U.S. Bank mortgages totaling $1.1 million. After closing the loan, she deposited $174,400 in a business account she opened using an alias, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

» Bryan A. Pool, 43, of Los Angeles is charged with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Pool is accused of purchasing a home in Inlet Beach for $1.5 million with mortgages from U.S. Bank. After purchasing the homes, he is accused of transferring $124,920 to a personal bank account.

Pool pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial Aug. 1 before Collier.

Register said that the three local indictments could lead to more arrests should the defendants agree to cooperate with the government.