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Stamford, CT Attorney Convicted of Fraud
Link to story - http://www.justice.gov/usao/ct/Press2014/20140214.html
February 14th, 2014
"Stop Attorney Abuse, Stop Attorney Fraud..."
A Stamford attorney has pleaded guilty in mortgage fraud case that drained $7 million from various lending institutions, according to the Connecticut United States Attorney.
The U.S. Attorney's office announced Friday that on Feb. 12, Christopher Brecciano, 35, of Stamford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to conspiring to defraud financial institutions through an extensive mortgage fraud scheme that involved dozens of properties in Fairfield County.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2006 and 2010, Brecciano, while working as an associate at a Stamford law firm, participated in mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved the purchase of numerous single and multi-family properties, primarily in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.
Brecciano acted as a closing attorney for at least 50 mortgage loan transactions in which materially false information was provided to mortgage lenders by Brecciano or his co-conspirators. The fraudulent information included false verifications of down payments for real estate transactions, false deeds, and false HUD-1 Forms.
In many of the transactions, Brecciano knew that the borrower was a “straw buyer,” and that other individuals intended to control the property and collect rent from the property. In many transactions, Brecciano distributed mortgage loan funds to the straw buyer and other co-conspirators at the closing.Many of these properties ended up in foreclosure, or in short sale transactions.
In pleading guilty, Brecciano admitted that he was also involved in many short sale transactions in which he knew that the buyer and seller were working together to retain control of the property while representing to the lender that the sale was an arm’s length transaction.Through this scheme, lenders suffered losses of more than $7 million.
Brecciano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on May 7, and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Nevins and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John McReynolds.
"Stop Attorney Abuse, Stop Attorney Fraud..."
Ma'ayergi & Associates, LLC
Attorney Christopher Michael Brecciano
Christopher Michael Brecciano Attorney Brecciano has been a member of the Connecticut Bar and 2nd Circuit Federal Bar for the past two years. He joined the firm of Ma'ayergi and Associates in the summer of 2005 as a part of the growth and expansion of its real estate division into the tri-state metropolitan area. Prior to this, he worked as a real estate attorney for Riefberg, Smart, Donohue and NeJame in Fairfield County conducting closings for Cendant Mobility, the country's largest provider of employee relocation services to the private and public sectors. Attorney Brecciano received his law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he was one of only three students honored at graduation for their excellence in clinical work. Attorney Brecciano received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and has been a resident of the State for the past ten years.
Contact: cmbrecciano@maesquire.com
February 14th, 2014
"Stop Attorney Abuse, Stop Attorney Fraud..."
A Stamford attorney has pleaded guilty in mortgage fraud case that drained $7 million from various lending institutions, according to the Connecticut United States Attorney.
The U.S. Attorney's office announced Friday that on Feb. 12, Christopher Brecciano, 35, of Stamford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to conspiring to defraud financial institutions through an extensive mortgage fraud scheme that involved dozens of properties in Fairfield County.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2006 and 2010, Brecciano, while working as an associate at a Stamford law firm, participated in mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved the purchase of numerous single and multi-family properties, primarily in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.
Brecciano acted as a closing attorney for at least 50 mortgage loan transactions in which materially false information was provided to mortgage lenders by Brecciano or his co-conspirators. The fraudulent information included false verifications of down payments for real estate transactions, false deeds, and false HUD-1 Forms.
In many of the transactions, Brecciano knew that the borrower was a “straw buyer,” and that other individuals intended to control the property and collect rent from the property. In many transactions, Brecciano distributed mortgage loan funds to the straw buyer and other co-conspirators at the closing.Many of these properties ended up in foreclosure, or in short sale transactions.
In pleading guilty, Brecciano admitted that he was also involved in many short sale transactions in which he knew that the buyer and seller were working together to retain control of the property while representing to the lender that the sale was an arm’s length transaction.Through this scheme, lenders suffered losses of more than $7 million.
Brecciano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on May 7, and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Nevins and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John McReynolds.
"Stop Attorney Abuse, Stop Attorney Fraud..."
Ma'ayergi & Associates, LLC
Attorney Christopher Michael Brecciano
Christopher Michael Brecciano Attorney Brecciano has been a member of the Connecticut Bar and 2nd Circuit Federal Bar for the past two years. He joined the firm of Ma'ayergi and Associates in the summer of 2005 as a part of the growth and expansion of its real estate division into the tri-state metropolitan area. Prior to this, he worked as a real estate attorney for Riefberg, Smart, Donohue and NeJame in Fairfield County conducting closings for Cendant Mobility, the country's largest provider of employee relocation services to the private and public sectors. Attorney Brecciano received his law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he was one of only three students honored at graduation for their excellence in clinical work. Attorney Brecciano received his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and has been a resident of the State for the past ten years.
Contact: cmbrecciano@maesquire.com
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