The victims were as old as 91 and their losses could add up to nearly $20 million. ...more

October 26, 2009

A broker for a Tampa mortgage company has agreed to plead guilty to federal conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for falsifying information on mortgage applications. Gilberto Jesus Lima, a licensed mortgage broker, worked for Mortgage Corporation of America when he was supposed to pair qualified borrowers with lenders, according to his plea agreement. For his work, he received a commission of 70 percent of fees, while his employer received 30 percent. ...more

August 12, 2009

Obama Was Winner There is no doubt in my mind who won Tuesday night's debate. Obama was articulate, showed a greatly improved maturity since the beginning of the campaign, and was specific in answering the questions with a point-by-point explanation of his solutions. ...more

October 9, 2008

A nationwide crackdown on mortgage fraud that began in March has ensnared 18 Florida residents, whose charges were announced by federal authorities Thursday. ...more

June 20, 2008

Between March 2002 and March 2004, a Tampa mortgage broker refinanced loans for older homeowners of modest means, scamming more than $400,000 to supplement a legitimate income that came close to six figures a year. ...more

December 8, 2007

TAMPA - Between March 2002 and March 2004, a Tampa mortgage broker refinanced loans for elderly homeowners of modest means, scamming more than $400,000 to supplement his legitimate income that came close to six figures a year. He testified this morning that he has nothing to show for his two-year windfall except about $1,500 in a bank account. ...more

December 7, 2007

James Brothers is taking the road less traveled this Thanksgiving, trading airplane seats for coach class on a train. Or maybe he'll get a sleeper car. Or just lounge in the dining car and watch the spectacular scenery go by. ...more

November 21, 2007