Two ex-principals at NY mortgage broker indicted

Thu May 8, 2008 10:50am EDT
 
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NEW YORK, May 8 (Reuters) - Two former principals of a New York-based mortgage lender surrendered to the FBI on Thursday after being indicted on charges of conspiracy and fraud involving Fannie Mae (FNM.N) and Credit Suisse First Boston (CSGN.VX), a federal prosecutor said.

Lieb Pinter, 64, is charged with fraud in connection to the theft of $44 million of payoff proceeds for refinanced mortgage loans financed by Fannie Mae and serviced by Olympia, a now-defunct Brooklyn, New York-based mortgage lender.

Barry Goldstein, 59, is charged with fraud in connection with Olympia's sale of a portfolio of mortgage loans to Credit Suisse using falsified loan histories.

"Investigating and prosecuting mortgage-related fraud is a priority of the (U.S.) Department of Justice and this office," U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Benton Campbell said in a statement.

Pinter is charged with conspiracy and wire fraud. Goldstein is charged with conspiracy and bank fraud. If convicted, each faces up to 30 years in prison.

The pair are expected to be arraigned later on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan Azrack. (Reporting by Leslie Gevirtz; Editing by Tom Hals)

 

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