crime:

Vegas men arrested in alleged mortgage scam against elderly

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 1:51 p.m.

Two Las Vegas men have been arrested on several charges of theft, mortgage fraud, identity theft and forgery against senior citizens, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said today.

Thomas F. Gentile, 56, and Julio C. Martinez, 61, are in custody after they were allegedly involved in a scam to obtain a mortgage loan against a property owned by Gentile's former employer, without knowledge or consent, Masto said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a third man, 30-year-old Justin M. Sabo of Huntington Beach, Calif., whose whereabouts are unknown.

"Mortgage fraud continues to be the fastest growing caseload within my office," Masto said in a statement. "These individuals are charged with obtaining a mortgage on the home of an elderly couple without their consent. The alleged conduct in this case is especially egregious."

Between January and March, Sabo, Gentile and Martinez got and used the identity of Gentile's former employer, an attorney general's mortgage fraud task force investigation revealed.

The three men, using the false identification, got a $65,000 mortgage loan against the former employer's property. The victims were senior citizens who had paid cash for their home and did not hold a mortgage on the property, Masto said.

The lenders also were victimized when they approved an application without knowing it was false, Masto said.

The elderly couple received a notice of foreclosure for non-payment, and they contacted the attorney general's office.

Since the couple are senior citizens, several counts alleged in the criminal complaint could increases their sentences if the three men are found guilty, Masto said.

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

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By afveteran

Oct. 8, 2009

4:20 p.m.

Suggest removal

These crooks deserve long prison terms for preying on old folks.
By JohnDeaux

Oct. 8, 2009

5:06 p.m.

Suggest removal

If the Attorney General stays on the case they will not get a long sentence in my estimation. In fact, whatever sentence they get will be one negotiated by one of the many inert deputies at the Attorney General's office with a stipulation for probation, so no prison time at all, in my opinion.

I think I will dress up as a TRIAL for Halloween and scare the prosecutors in the Attorney General's office.
By KillerB

Oct. 8, 2009

9:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

afveteran -- and how would they pay restitution from behind bars?

"Mortgage fraud continues to be the fastest growing caseload within my office," Masto said..."

So, Catherine when are you going to after the REAL mortgage fraud criminals -- MERS and the Big Finance institutions still presenting themselves as Note Holders and foreclosing when they don't have the legal right to people's homes?? The ball's already set rolling by the Honorable Linda Riegle http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct...
By Jetersaurus_Rex

Oct. 8, 2009

10:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

I agree with afveteran, lock em up! As for AG's office they do all right, put that Dr. Bass away for life!
By perry161492

Oct. 9, 2009

3:52 a.m.

Suggest removal

they will not stayed on the case they will settle so they look good when they come up for re-election AG is scare to after criminal hard they only look for easy way out to look good.
By KillerB

Oct. 9, 2009

10:20 a.m.

Suggest removal

perry -- what?

Get some coffee in you and try again.
By tigerman

Oct. 15, 2009

12:14 p.m.

Suggest removal

Just wanted for everyone to know that Julio Martinez never met the 2 wanted guys, he's just a notary, has nothing to do with the fraud or creating any documents, he's just a victim notarized false documents in a very stupid way without reading them and without knowing what he was notarizing... the main 2 guys behind this scam is Thomas Gentile and Justin Sabo
By tigerman

Oct. 15, 2009

12:32 p.m.

Suggest removal

Also warning everyone who reads this not to use U.S Home Bailout for any foreclosure help, they don't and they can't stop your foreclosure, they lie about everything just to get your money. I lost $5000.00 in 2 month, on 2 houses.They claim to file a complaint in the court which will tie your property for up to 5 yrs forcing the lenders to lower your principal and the interest rate, their complaints are nothing but templates filling out the blanks, and judges dismissing them so fast... when I asked them why they say it depends on your judge, the judges wants basically more specifics in the complaint... Anyway I filed complaints against them with the Attorney General, Mortgage and Lending Division and the NV Sate Bar, and now thinking on taking them to small claim court because by law they have to give me my money back for all the false promises they give. Same as U.S Justice Foundation, same exact thing, I lost money there too and my friends that I brought to Justice Foundation lost money, because we all trusted Jack Ferm and for what he promised.