PHOENIX (AP) - A 45-year-old Glendale woman who authorities alleged ran a mortgage fraud scheme that led to $17 million in foreclosures has been sentenced to 2 ½ years in federal prison.
The FBI in Phoenix says Michele Marie Mitchell was also ordered by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg on Monday to pay $110,490 in restitution.
Mitchell and Phoenix resident Jeremy West Pratt were indicted last year. Pratt pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in January and was sentenced in July to six months in prison. Mitchell pleaded guilty to the same charge in April.
The two recruited people with good credit scores to act as straw buyers to buy homes as investments. Mitchell portrayed herself as a mortgage broker while Pratt claimed to run a construction and remodeling company.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
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Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones.
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Friday, May 24 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:10:09 GMT
AP photo
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:33:47 GMT
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
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