U.S. House Of Representatives votes to create Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force modeled after Miami Dade’s
MIAMI – The U.S. House of Representatives voted 350 to 23 on Bill HR 6853 to establish a Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) modeled after Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force.
Bill HR 6853 was introduced by Congressman Kendrick Meek of Florida. On September 23, 2008, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida will introduce the bill to the U.S. Senate for a vote.
“Mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in Miami-Dade County and the entire country,” said Mayor Alvarez. “Last year, more than 1,000 mortgage fraud cases were reported in our community and 46,000 cases nationwide. This new bill will help all communities reduce mortgage fraud and prevent victimization. I want to thank my Task Force Chairman Glenn Theobald and all of the federal legislators for this new legislation.”
The Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Task Force, which will operate under the FBI, will address mortgage fraud in the U.S. The Director of the FBI shall provide the Task Force with the appropriate staff, administrative support and other resources.
The Task Force will solicit the voluntary participation of federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to organize initiatives to address mortgage fraud, including initiatives to enforce state mortgage fraud laws.
Since its creation in September 2007, Miami-Dade County Mayor Alvarez’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force has:
· Made 88 arrests
· Drafted new state legislation, Florida Statutes 193.133, which was adopted on July 1, 2008. The new legislation requires law enforcement to notify the property appraiser’s office when fraud has been detected and mortgage fraud over $100,000 will now be considered 2nd degree felonies.
· Created the first Code of Conduct Model for real estate professionals and others involved in real estate transactions.
· Created the first local public/private partnership Task Force in the nation to fight mortgage fraud.
· Streamlined reporting and investigating of mortgage fraud by creating an online form.
· Created a Speaker’s Bureau.
· Involved other local, state and federal agencies in a comprehensive approach to fight mortgage crime.
Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force
The Mayor’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force is chaired by Glenn Theobald, Chief Counsel of the Miami-Dade Police Department, and made up of law enforcement officials, prosecutors, business leaders, elected officials and other public servants. Through their vision and direction the Task Force aims to help reduce and prevent mortgage fraud through law enforcement and prosecution, legislation and public education. The Task Force was created in September 2007.
Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force Partners
Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department, Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser’s Office, Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts, Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office, IRS, FBI, Office of the Treasury, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Financial Regulation, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
