Investor Used Real Estate Seminars to Recruit Straw Buyers
June 22nd, 2011
If you attended a real estate “seminar” hosted by Brett Matheson in 2005 or 2006, you might have been the unwitting targets for a major real estate scam. The real estate investor and CEO of Maricopa Property Investment Solutions has now admitted that he was using those seminars to recruit straw buyers for what ended up being a $50 million wire- and mortgage-fraud scheme[1]. Matheson has pleaded guilty along with two other co-conspirators. He used false documents verifying employment, income, assets and intent to occupy the homes to speed mortgage applications along, then the straw buyers and Matheson’s company received kickbacks once financing was obtained. 52 properties were involved[2]. It is unclear whether the straw buyers understood that what they were doing was illegal in all cases. Lenders involved lost around $20 million and U.S. attorney Dennis Burke attributed “destroyed property values, crippled lending institutions [and] ruined…neighborhoods” to Matheson and others like him.
At this time, Matheson and two others are awaiting sentencing. What do you think should be done with Matheson? How about his straw buyers?
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[1] http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2011/06/21/20110621phoenix-real-estate-investor-mortgage-scam.html
[2] http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/364a62879871415cb0747100f46d14d8/AZ-Real-Estate-Fraud/
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:54 AM
He and his co-horts should got to jail. As for the straw buyers, were they aware they were participating in a fraudulant deal???? Or did they really believe it was all apart of real estate??The are some very guilable people out there. Let the punishment fit the crime.
June 22nd, 2011 at 9:41 AM
In my limited experience with the law, I have always been told that “ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
June 22nd, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Two Notary’s FORGED my name and used my personal & financial info to use me as a “strawbuyer” for three different houses. Because of the “forgeries” and Identity theft - they both got 6 months in a local county jail. So far I’ve not recieved “restitution” even though the court ordered it.
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Julie,
Be sure to file that paperwork for restitution with the county or city. Check at the courthouse where its the most effective. That way when they use their soc. sec. number at a job, you can garinshee their wages. Also, it will be recorded as part of their probation in most cases. Good luck.