In the following May 1, 2007 press release Thomas A. Marino, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a Kingston man was arrested Monday by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Kingston Police on a federal charge of mail fraud related to making false and fraudulent mortgage and loan appraisals during a four-year time period.

Marino stated that Richard Woods, age 51, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on March 20, 2007, with using the mail to further a scheme in which false real estate appraisals were used to qualify customers for inflated mortgages.

The indictment states that Woods provided false real estate appraisals to Four Star Mortgage Services, First Advantage Financial Corporation, and other companies during 1999-2003.

Woods’ charge stems from a lengthy investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Marino noted that if Woods is convicted of the mail fraud charge, he faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, a term of supervised release of up to five years, and a $100 special assessment. Marino noted that Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.

Resources:
Press Release
Indictment