Montco man charged in “massive” mortgage fraud

Posted: January 25, 2013

A Montgomery County man has been indicted in a "massive" mortgage fraud conspiracy involving more than $20 million in loans, federal officials said today.

Willie G. Manley, 62 of Lansdale, a self-employed accountant, allegedly fake documents including W-2 forms and paystubs, to procure loans.

At the center of investigation was a Philadelphia company known as KREW Settlement Services in Philadelphia, officials said.

The scheme, which operated between May 2004 and February 2009, involved more than 100 properties, most of them in West Philadelphia, and over $20 million in loans, according to court documents.

Manley; a Pittsburgh mortgage broker, John William Polosky, who was also charged, and at least 11 unnamed other conspirators duped lenders into providing funds to buy the properties.

The properties were often distressed, and fake appraisals were contrived to have banks approve more-expensive mortgages. Manley also helped with sales that involved straw buyers, according to court documents.

Most of the mortgages were unpaid, and the properties fell into foreclosure, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149, mschaefer@phillynews.com or @MariSchaefer on Twitter.

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