NJ man admits role in mortgage-fraud scheme

A New Jersey man on Tuesday admitted to conspiring to participate in a scheme which caused lenders to release more than $40.8 million based on fraudulent mortgage-loan applications, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Charles Harvath, of Lodi, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to documents filed in the case and statements made during the legal proceedings, 33-year-old Harvath and his co-conspirators recruited straw buyers who had good credit scores, but lacked the financial resources to qualify for a mortgage loan, to purchase a number of properties in New Jersey, Georgia and South Carolina.