The president of a mortgage title company in South Florida could face up to 30 years in prison for her role in a fraud scheme.
Federal officials said Michelle Austin-Wilks, 38, illegally bought and sold real estate in Broward County through others and prepared false mortgage documents that had inflated prices on the forms.
Austin-Wilks had lenders wire about $3 million in the account of Direct Title & Escrow Services, according to officials. She then wire transferred $68,562 and $382,000 to a mortgage broker and straw buyer involved in the scheme.
The U.S. Marshal’s Service found Austin-Wilks in Jamaica and returned her to the states, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami.
The mortgage broker, Jinnie Mathurin, and straw buyer, Guhier Florvilus, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud each.
ascoggin@housingwire.com
