BOSTON - A New York City woman was convicted today in federal court of wire fraud and identity fraud in connection with mortgages to purchase properties in the Boston area.
Judy Bonas, 55, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole to six counts of wire fraud and three counts of identity fraud.
Had the case proceeded to trial the Government’s evidence would have proven that Bonas was solicited by others to pose as the buyer for the purchase of three residential properties in Brockton, Mattapan and Halifax. Bonas was paid approximately $4,500 to use a stolen identification to execute mortgage loan closing papers for each of the properties. The fraudulent loans resulted in losses exceeding $1 million.
Judge O’Toole scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2012. Bonas faces up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each wire fraud count. The identity fraud counts each carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
Co-defendants Peterson Cherimond and Allison Gates are currently pending trial.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Robert Bethel, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and William Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.
Giving Back to the Community through a variety of venues & initiatives.
Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect.
