In the following press release the FBI in Sacramento announced that Maria Santa, 33; Virgil Santa, 35; and Candit Sava, Jr., 26, all of Sacramento, were charged by complaint on March 17, 2008. The complaint alleged that beginning in November 2006, Maria Santa and Sava prepared and submitted loan applications containing false statements as to employment and monthly income, and other false information, of a straw purchaser in order to purchase houses in the name of the straw purchaser.

The complaint further alleged that MARIA SANTA and SAVA committed identity theft by using a victim’s identity to purchase property.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the California Department of Real Estate, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Stegman.