Deputy Mayor In Burlington Co. Charged In Mortgage-Fraud Scheme: Feds

Editor's note: This article now includes responses from the attorney of Willingboro's deputy mayor and a spokesperson for the township.

WILLINGBORO, NJ — The deputy mayor of Willingboro was federally charged after orchestrating a fraud scheme that nixed his six-figure mortgage obligation, authorities said Wednesday.

Nathaniel Anderson and his business associate, Chrisone D. Anderson, conspired on a fraudulent short sale of a Willingboro property from 2015-17, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. As a result, a government-sponsored entity discharged Nathaniel Anderson's mortgage obligation and lost $120,000, officials said.

Both suspects made initial appearances Wednesday in Trenton federal court. They were each released on $50,000 unsecured bonds.

Nathaniel Anderson, 56, was first elected in 2009 to Willingboro's Township Council. Anderson, a Democrat, is currently a council member and the township's deputy mayor. The council appoints two of its members as mayor and deputy mayor each January.

His current council term turns through the end of 2025.

Nathaniel and Chrisone Anderson were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of making false statements on a loan application. Chrisone Anderson was also charged with two counts of making false statements to a federal agent.

Daniel M. Rosenberg, Nathaniel Anderson's attorney, said "there is no comment at this time." Patch also contacted Chrisone Anderson's attorney and will update with any response.

A spokesperson for Willingboro emailed Patch, "The Township does not comment on personal matters related to Township employees or members of Council."

As part of the scheme, the suspects agreed to orchestrate a fraudulent short sale of the property from Nathaniel Anderson to Chrisone Anderson. Chrisone, a Sicklerville resident, executed mortgage documents containing false statements, which Nathaniel aided and abetted, authorities said.

These included claims that the short sale was an arm's length transaction, that the parties had no prior business relationship, that Nathaniel wouldn't occupy the home after the sale, and that Chrisone would make the property her primary residence, according to federal officials.

As a result, the government-sponsored enterprise discharged Nathaniel Anderson's mortgage obligation and the victim lender issued a new mortgage on the property, authorities said.

During a May 2022 interview, Chrisone Anderson made false statements to an FBI agent about the sale, according to government documents.

If convicted, the fraud charges carry up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. A conviction for making false statements to a federal agent carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.