Milford Woman Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy, Feds Say

A Milford woman pleaded guilty Dec. 14  before U.S. District Court Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to one count of conspiracy stemming from a mortgage fraud scheme and five counts of filing false tax returns, U.S. Attorney David B. Fein of Connecticut announced. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mary Ellen Durso, 55, conspired with others to commit bank fraud by filing a materially false loan application to Washington Mutual to refinance a condominium in Hillsboro Beach, Fla. 

Durso served as the straw owner for the condo in order to obtain the fraudulent loan proceeds for the benefit of her co-conspirators, federal authorities said.  Through the scheme, Durso and others defrauded J.P. Morgan Chase of more than $70,000, according to authorities.

In addition, Durso admitted to filing false tax returns for tax years 2004 to 2008 by inflating her itemized deductions. 

The judge scheduled sentencing for March 9, 2011, at which time Durso faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the conspiracy charge.  She faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of $250,000 on each of the five counts of filing a false tax return.  She also will be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of at least $141,465.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David T. Huang.

In July 2009, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the formation of the Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Task Force to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud cases and related financial crimes occurring in Connecticut.  In addition to investigating past mortgage fraud schemes, the Task Force will focus on emerging crime trends that are associated with the growing tide of foreclosures, including foreclosure rescue schemes, and short-sale schemes.  Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected mortgage fraud activity by calling 203-333-3512 and requesting the Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Task Force, or by sending an email to ctmortgagefraud@ic.fbi.gov.

The Connecticut Mortgage Fraud Task Force includes representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, and State of Connecticut Department of Banking.

To report financial fraud crimes, and to learn more about the President's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, please visit www.stopfraud.gov.