Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Parkville, Essex Homeowners of Millions

Daniel E. Fink Jr, 44, of Baltimore, recently pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud lenders and homeowners of more than $2.2 million, the U.S. Attorney's office announced Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors alleged that from February 2003 to July 2004, Fink used Homemaxx Title & Escrow, a title company he operated with offices in Middle River and Parkville, to defraud lenders, a title insurance company, and homeowners to the tune of more than $2.2 million.

Prosecutors said Fink used the money to buy personal gifts for women, including more than $200,000 of escrow money to purchase a property in Florida for a female acquaintance, and $59,728 to purchase a new 2004 Mercedes CLK 500 for a woman Fink met at the Gentlemen’s Gold Club.

Prosecutors said Fink also used $61,965 to buy a 2003 Hummer H2 and repeatedly spent the proceeds of his scheme at the Gentlemen’s Gold Club, on gambling, and on trips to the Bahamas.

After agents of the defrauded title insurance company approached him in 2004, Fink fled the Baltimore area and used aliases to engage in real estate transactions in Florida.

On March 26, 2009, a federal grand jury in Baltimore indicted Fink on charges of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the scheme. Fink was arrested in Florida on February 15, 2010.

As part of a plea agreement, Fink is required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims' losses, estimated to be at least $2.2 million.

He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud, but under the plea agreement, Fink is expected to be sentenced to four years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17 at 11 a.m.