HOUSTON – A brazen bank fraud scheme has come to light, with a Houston couple and their brother allegedly defrauding a California bank out of thousands of dollars in loans.
Rita ‘Jessica’ Martinez, 31, and her husband Gilbert Martinez, 35, both of Houston, have been charged in an 11-count indictment with conspiracy and bank fraud.
The indictment alleges that Jessica Martinez, a loan processor at a Houston-based business, submitted falsified loan applications for her husband, brother Felix Martinez, 37, of New Caney, and others to Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach, California.
The applications contained falsified income information and false information about borrowers’ employment, income, and assets, according to the indictment.
The defendants allegedly completed the loan applications, which were then approved by the bank, and used the loan proceeds to purchase a house in New Caney, which is now set to be forfeited by the government.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy and bank fraud is 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Assistant United States Attorney Belinda Beek is prosecuting the case.
Rita Martinez, Gilbert Martinez, and Felix Martinez made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Malloy today and were released on bond.
They are set to appear in court again on Monday, November 18, at 9:45 a.m. for arraignment.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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